“I lost close friends when they realized I had TB” – The lived experiences of TB patients in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract Background Tuberculosis is a global public health problem with serious health and social implications which produce unique experiences for the patients. Understanding the lived experiences of TB patients is important for appropriate and successful TB interventions. Unsuccessful treatment has grave public health consequences at individual and community levels. Methods Qualitative study using 40 narratives of TB patients, 40 home observations, and key informant interviews with 4 TB health care providers using an interpretive phenomenology. The 40 TB patients were interviewed twice, first at the healthcare facility with a follow-up interview in their homes. Results Socio-economic, structural and medication related factors shape the experiences of TB patients. Social factors such as stigma, lack of family and other social support influence the lived experiences of TB patients. TB treatment challenges such as side effects and financial constraints also shape the experiences of the patients. Although there is good patient-healthcare provider relationship, patients have to deal with long treatment regimens and the long queues when seeking treatment services in health facilities. Conclusions TB management programs should account for factors that influence the lived experience of TB patients to facilitate effective treatment. Many of these factors are barriers to effective treatment and management TB patients. Provision of social and family support, addressing stigma, counseling and addressing structural barriers may influence the patients’ positive experience and promote treatment adherence for successful TB management.