Abebe Amene, Nuriye Shemsu, Baza Daniel, Markos Mesfin, Woldeyohanes Selamawit, Gelgelu Temesgen Bati
Wolaita Sodo University, School of Public Health, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
Wolaita Sodo University, School of Nursing, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2022 Oct 12;15:1931-1945. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S386012. eCollection 2022.
There is a scarcity of research evidence on TB follow-up and treatment challenges from a healthcare worker's perspective in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and describe the experience and perception of healthcare workers on the challenges of follow-up and treatment of TB patients in Southern Ethiopia.
A qualitative exploratory-descriptive study was employed among 26 purposely selected Healthcare Workers (HCWs) from Wolaita Sodo University-Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Achura, Boloso Sore, and Tida Health Centers in December 2021 and January 2022. Initially, the maximum variation purposive sampling technique was employed, then based on the data requirement of the study it was enriched by a theoretical sampling method. The required data were collected through one-on-one face-to-face audio-taped in-depth interviews. Data analysis was conducted by using a qualitative data analysis framework for the applied research method. NVivo Software Version 11 was used to ease data organization and analysis. Detailed textual narration of subthemes, and themes was done using direct verbatim quotations in the respective headings and subheadings.
In the current study, three major themes and eleven sub-themes emerged from the data. The three major themes include the experience of healthcare workers, perceived challenges, and suggestions for improvement of TB patients' follow-up and treatment. Healthcare worker's experience, compliance with infection prevention protocols, fear of contracting and/or spreading TB, public awareness of TB, socio-economic burdens, providers-related problems, shortage of medical supplies, unconducive physical work environment, provision of holistic support for the patients, provision of in or out of service training, and supportive supervision were the sub-themes.
This study explored the multidimensional challenges adjoining follow-up and treatment of TB patients. Regular monitoring and supportive supervision accompanied by appropriate and timely decisions and feedback are vital to ensure effective follow-up and treatment of TB patients in Ethiopia.
从埃塞俄比亚医护人员的角度来看，关于结核病后续跟进及治疗挑战的研究证据匮乏。因此，本研究旨在探索并描述埃塞俄比亚南部医护人员在结核病患者后续跟进及治疗挑战方面的经历和看法。
2021年12月和2022年1月，在沃莱塔索多大学综合专科医院以及阿丘拉、博洛索雷和蒂达健康中心，对26名经过特意挑选的医护人员开展了一项定性探索性描述性研究。最初采用最大差异目的抽样技术，然后根据研究的数据需求，通过理论抽样方法加以充实。所需数据通过一对一的面对面录音深度访谈收集。使用适用于该应用研究方法的定性数据分析框架进行数据分析。采用NVivo软件11版来简化数据整理和分析。各主题和子主题的详细文本叙述在相应的标题和子标题中使用直接逐字引用完成。
在本研究中，数据产生了三个主要主题和十一个子主题。这三个主要主题包括医护人员的经历、感知到的挑战以及改善结核病患者后续跟进及治疗的建议。医护人员的经历、遵守感染预防协议、担心感染和/或传播结核病、公众对结核病的认识、社会经济负担、与提供者相关的问题、医疗用品短缺、不利于工作的物理环境、为患者提供全面支持、提供在职或离职培训以及支持性监督是子主题。
本研究探索了结核病患者后续跟进及治疗方面的多维度挑战。定期监测和支持性监督，辅之以适当及时的决策和反馈，对于确保埃塞俄比亚结核病患者得到有效的后续跟进及治疗至关重要。
