Non-compliance amongst T.B. patients at Moreteletsi Hospital

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore non-compliance with T.B. treatment amongst T.B. patients at Moreteletsi Hospital. Due to the nature of the data that was needed the phenomenological strategy as a research strategy / design was used. Interviewing was used as a method of data collection and 20 T.B. patients at Moreteletsi Hospital were interviewed. The medical aspects of T.B. were discussed with emphasis on: what T.B. is, how it is diagnosed, T.B. treatment as well as social work intervention with patients. The patients indicated that members of the community are not supporting them. They further mentioned that western medicines have side effects on them and that the health centres are far from them. It was established that it is difficult for many T.B. patients to understand the causes of T.B. as they are explained from the western medical orientation because they associate T.B. with witchcraft. There are several factors that cause patients not to comply with medical treatment with the dominant one being the strong belief in traditional medicine. The community should be educated to emotionally support the patients. A holistic approach in the form of bio-psychosocial model can be of great benefit when used so that all the needs of the patients can be given attention. The research report was concluded by the conclusions and recommendations.