PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORTS RECEIVED BY TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS FROM FAMILY MEMBERS DURING ACTIVE TREATMENT IN SELECTED TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT CENTRES IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a re-emerging infectious disease of international health priority and particularly worrisome in poor resource setting countries including Nigeria. Although treatment for Tuberculosis is free in Nigeria, TB patients face various barriers in day-to-day life; isolation and rejection from families and communities. Concerns and expectations of TB patients such as social support from family members are needed to be understood for improving patients’ adherence with and completion of treatment regimens. In Nigeria, patients’ perceptions of social support received from their family have not been well explored. This study investigates perceived social supports received by Tuberculosis patients from family members during active treatment in selected tuberculosis treatment centres in Ibadan. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 400 consenting TB patients receiving care in four treatment centres in Ibadan North East and Ibadan South West Local Government Areas, Oyo State. A validated interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, co-morbidity conditions, activities of daily living, history of the disease, perceived needs, perceived social support, typology, sources and adequacy of support, forms of psycho-social support and adequacy of economic and financial support. Activities of daily living were measured on a 20-point functional status rating scale; scores <12 and >12 were categorised as non-functional and functional respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p=0.05. Respondents’ age was 36.4 ± 1.4 years; majority (59.5%) were married, 74.5% had monogamous family and 36.5% were aged 40 years and above. More than half respondents, 54.2%, were male; 33.8% and 51.2% were traders and had secondary school education respectively. Respondents’ mean income was N18, 224.00 and ranged between ₦0.00 and ₦600, 000.00. Majority were diagnosed of TB and receiving treatment at government hospitals (62.8% and 68.0% respectively). A few respondents, 16.8%, had co-morbidity conditions; some male and female had family history of Tuberculosis (23.0% and 32.8% respectively). On perception of needs relating to income and food, majority (68.0%) no longer had sources of regular income and 41.5% had difficulties eating three times daily. 48% reported not receiving enough support from family members and 29.5% felt abandoned. More than half (male,

53.5%; female, 54.1%) reported that they could do daily routine at work even with the condition. On perceived social support received, 59.0% respondents reported that family members assisted them to overcome some challenges experienced due to the disease and 57.8% indicated having special persons who were sources of comfort. Level of emotional support received was adequate for majority (72.0%). More than half (53.5%) respondents required assistance to perform their daily chores. There was significant relationship between family type, level of education and functional status. No significant relationship was found between social support received and functional status. Most respondents had no source of regular income and majority received various forms of supports. However, more than half were non-functional. Advocacy and public enlightenment directed at community members would be useful in addressing this gap.