Factors related to self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients Samut Prakan Province

Abstract

        This descriptive study aims to determine self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients and to study relationship among bio-social factors, health belief as well as social support and self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients. The population in the study  were 231 new registered tuberculosis patients with pulmonary tuberculosis infection in Samutprakarn province who were treated and cured. The tool used in data collection was questionnaires. The statistics used in data analysis were mean, percentage, standard deviation, cross table analysis, chi-square test. The relationships were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient.
        The study revealed that self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients is in high level. The factors associated with self-care behaviors of patients with tuberculosis are health belief in aspect of perception of risk of the disease, perception of severity of the disease, perception of the advantage of treatment and general health motivation are positively related to self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients statistically significant (p-value <0.01). The perception of difficulties in practice is negatively related to self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients statistically significant (p-value <0.01). The social support is positively related to self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients statistically significant (p<0.01). 
        The suggestion from the study is to enhance social support by allowing family and patient’s relative to participate in the treatment and care of patients.