Lived experiences of female patients aged 15-49 years undergoing treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major public health hazard on a global scale. It is a kind of tuberculosis (TB) infection produced by bacteria resistant to at least two of the most effective first-line anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drugs: isoniazid and rifampicin. In numerous health care facilities around Uganda, MDR-TB patients have bad experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of female patients aged 15 to 49 years receiving treatment for MDR-TB at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. Using a method of purposive sampling, a phenomenological qualitative study was done among female patients aged 15 to 49 receiving treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at Lira Regional Hospital. Data was collected using an English-translated Lango guide for in-depth interviews. Data was entered manually and analyzed using version 13 of the qualitative program NVIVO. It was discovered that the spouses of female MDR-TB patients lacked social support. Female patients with a history of tuberculosis prior to MDR-TB had stronger family support systems. MDR-TB diagnosis was strongly related with shock, anxiety, and denial. The majority of patients indicated that proper information on probable side effects allowed them to successfully complete MDR-TB treatment. Compared to other health centres in the district, the MDR-TB services at Lira Regional Referral were easily accessible and staffed by friendly medical personnel. In conclusion, female patients receiving MDR-TB treatment represent a unique population, and family support and care had a significant impact on the success of MDR-TB treatment among them.

Keywords:

• multi-drug resistant TB
• isoniazid
• rifampicin
• lived experiences

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria and spread from person to person through air. It affects the lungs and other parts of the body (brain, kidneys or spine). Many times, TB is treatable and curable; however, persons with TB can die if they do not get proper treatment. The bacteria can become more resistant to treatment when not properly managed; hence Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) or even extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB). MDR-TB is caused by TB bacteria that are resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most potent TB drugs whereas extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a rare type of MDR-TB that is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of the three injectable second-line drugs (amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin). In this study we looked at lived experiences of female patients undergoing treatment for MDR-TB.

Acknowledgments

We sincerely acknowledge the support rendered to us by Mr Acaye James. We also appreciate the management of Lira Regional Referral Hospital and extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to our valued respondents, without whom this study wouldn’t be completed. They provided primary information about their lived experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Contributorship

OG conceptualized the study, designed the methodology and did the preliminary analysis and approved the final version for publication. OK supervised the work, curated the analysis and design for all intellectual contents, approved the final version for publication and agreed to be pivotal in any correspondence to do with any intellectual content of the study. He is the corresponding author, for this matter.

Data sharing

Data related to the study is available with the corresponding author and on reasonable request, it can be availed.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/27707571.2023.2292892

Additional information

Funding

We declare that there was no external funding for this study.

Notes on contributors

Kizito Omona

Kizito Omona, is a Medical Doctor, researcher and lecturer attached to Faculty of Health Sciences of Uganda Martyrs University. He holds a PhD in Management (Healthcare Mgt), Master of Science in Health Services Management (MSc. HSM) and Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation (MSc. M & E) and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from Gulu University, amidst other qualifications.

Christopher Ogwang

Christopher Ogwang, is a graduate Nurse with over 10 years of experience in health training and research. He worked with different reputable organizations and in service delivery, health training and mentorship interventions, advocacy, capacity building, Community Empowerment, Project management and research. He holds Bachelor of Science Nursing (BScN), Post graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation and Master of Public Health.