Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The co-morbidity between physical illnesses and psychosocial health are research areas among scholars in different corners of the globe. Empirical evidences on the psychosocial adjustments among TB patients in Ethiopia take an ethic form. Hence, the objective of the present study was to qualitatively investigate the psychosocial adjustments of TB patients in Northwestern Ethiopia. The study used explorative research design where data were collected from TB patients using semi-structured interview protocol designed for the purpose. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants and data were collected till it saturates. Interviews were tape-recorded; transcribed and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. From the data analyzed, it was found that TB patients experience negative psychological adjustments including fear, anxiety, shame, loneliness, depression and hopelessness. It was also revealed that discrimination, and social disruptions were negative social adjustments experienced by the patients. Happiness; and receiving suggestions and social supports were positive psychological and social adjustments experienced by TB patients, respectively. In addition, high incidence of self- and others- discrimination, fear of transmitting their illness to others and shame associated with carrying a bottle of water while visiting the health center were main areas of concern for TB patients which deserve due attention. Finally, it is recommended that health professionals need to evaluate and support TB patients psychosocial adjustment to maintain patients overall wellbeing and to design community level intervention strategies.