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The impact of TB treatment interruption on the socio-economic situation of the family at Ba-Phalaborwa, Mopani District

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus), 2005 / The aim of this study was to investigate the socio-economic impact of interrupting
TB treatment to the families of the TB sufferers and the reasons for patients
interrupting treatment. The study was conducted at Mashishimale Village, Ba-
Phalaborwa Municipality, Mopani District, Limpopo Province in South Africa. A
sample of 35 tuberculosis patients and their family members was drawn from the
Mashishimale population. The sample comprised of 17 (49%) males and 18
(51%) females. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the
participants to complete. The questionnaire elicited demographic information;
knowledge about TB, its causes, signs and symptoms, transmission, the reasons
for interrupting treatment, and the patients’ coping and support structures.
The findings of the study reported that 50% of TB patients are conversant with
the signs, symptoms and mode of the spread of TB. However, 43% of the TB
patients reported that there was a perception that TB patients are also HIV
positive. A further 29% mentioned that there is stigma attached to TB disease.
The lack of a Directly Observed Treatment Supporter, poverty and poor nutrition,
side-effects of drugs, loss of disability grants, long clinic queues, and traditional
healing were some of the reasons cited for the interruption of TB treatment. The
interruption of TB treatment had an impact on the socio-economic situation of the
family as they often relied on assistance from social grants, other family
members and churches.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/138
Date January 2005
CreatorsMphogo, Mphele Agnes
ContributorsGovender, S.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis

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