An in-depth exploration of coping with Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis: A Qualitative study

An in-depth exploration of coping with Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis: A Qualitative study <bold>Background:</bold> Coping strategy for the cancer has been extendedly studied however there are few studies among MDRTB patients. So this study was planned to explore their coping strategies. <bold>Method:</bold> Descriptive type of qualitative study design using In-Depth Interview technique (IDI) was carried out among MDRTB patients attending Pulmonary Medicine department of a tertiary care teaching institute in the eastern region of India. MDRTB patients who is on treatment, diagnosed at least three months prior to interview. <bold>Result:</bold> IDIs were performed among 17 MDRTB patients. The manual content analysis of their responses resulted in two major themes namely, the problems faced and the coping strategies adopted by them. Under the theme problems there were four categories namely(i) Physical problem (44 codes) “couldn’t sleep at night, (ii) Psychological issues 13 codesI was thinking I will do suicide, (iii) socioeconomic issues (32 codes) (iv) health system related (9 codes)Under the second theme of coping strategies, 6 categories emerged. (i) family and friends support (14 codes) (ii) (spiritually engaged (3 codes) (iii) support from health care providers <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The explored challenges faced by MDRTB patients were physical, socio-economic, psychological and health system related and their coping strategies were family, health system support, spiritual connect, mind relaxing techniques, and hopelessness. The identified positive strategies might be utilized by health care providers to improve their coping strategies