Social support received by multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients and related factors: a cross-sectional study in Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China

Abstract

ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to assess the social support received by patients diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China and the factors that may have influenced it.MethodsA total of 220 MDR-TB patients participated in the questionnaire-based survey, and the data from 212 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The respondents reported their sociodemographic status, disease features, and attitudes toward the disease. The social support rating scale was used to measure the patients’ social support scores. An Independent Samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and a multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the related factors for the social support scores.ResultThe average social support score of each MDR-TB patient was 32.56±7.86. Participants who were single, widowed or divorced, retired, and had fewer family members and lower family income were found to have lower social support scores. Participants unwilling to disclose their disease tended to have less social support (31.59<34.23, P=0.010). Participants who perceived great help from health care workers reported higher social support rating scale scores than those who perceived no help (35.36.29.89, P=0.014).ConclusionMDR-TB patients in Zhejiang Province were shown to have a low level of social support. Patients who were not married, had smaller families, and lower family income received less social support, suggesting that family harmony could be an important source of social support. Patients’ self-isolation may contribute to a decrease in the amount of support they receive from their surroundings. Health care organizations need to offer more social support to MDR-TB patients.

Effectiveness of comprehensive social support interventions among elderly patients with tuberculosis in communities in China: a community-based trial

“…The reliability and validity of this scale were relatively high when it was applied to measure social support in the Chinese population. 16 26 In this sample, Cronbach’s alpha for the total score was 0.91. Details of the SSRS are available in the online supplementary appendix 1 .…”

“…Simultaneously, a study pointed out that caregivers might lose confidence during the treatment of patients with TB, which would result in reduced social support for patients. 16 We held psycho-educational workshops for the family members and friends of the elderly patients with TB to lessen their psychological stress and increase their knowledge about TB. Many family members expressed that they experienced isolation by others and lacked knowledge about TB treatment.…”

“… 13–15 However, a study conducted in Zhejiang Province of China reported that patients with TB had a low level of social support. 16 It is meaningful to explore feasible and effective social support interventions in communities for TB management and control.…”

Intervention Strategies to Mitigate Psychosocial Challenges and Improve the Quality of Life of MDR-TB Patients - An Evaluation Study

“…Because of the stigma attached to this disease, patients experienced a lack of social and emotional support from their family members that undermined their ability to protect themselves or confidence to seek help and care. Research carried out in India that assessed Quality of Life (QOL) of MDR-TB patients found out that the social areas such as personal relationships, social support and sexual activity of MDR-TB patients were low compared to other areas (physical, psychological and environmental) that had an impact in their QOL (22) .…”

Knowledge, Family and Social Support, Self Efficacy and Self-Care Behaviour in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

“…This is consistent with the study of Mohebi et al, (2018) which stated that social support, as an important psychosocial concept, can have a beneficial effect on self-care behaviour. The ability to self-care for tuberculosis sufferers is influenced by positive supporting elements of the social environment (the closest people to the patient) including family members, neighbours, friends or colleagues (He et al, 2016;Saifullah, Mulyadi, & Asniar, 2018).…”