Public Health Care Practitioner’s Reflections on Tuberculosis Patient’s Perspectives on Factors Influencing their Adherence to the Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course

Abstract

The high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa is well established. TB, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) co-exist, which contributes to the high incidence, prevalence, and recurrent infection rate of TB. Despite the implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) strategy, a World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative to stop the spread of the disease by 2015, TB continues to threaten the health of many, especially those in under-resourced, communities. TB patients’ adherence to the treatment programme (DOTS) is vital to the reduction of the re-infection rate and the prevention of new cases. Health care practitioner’s commitment and professional engagement within a patient-centred health care model is essential to the success of the DOTS initiative.