Barriers to effective tuberculosis control: a qualitative study
OBJECTIVE: To explore chest and infectious disease physicians' views of barriers to effective tuberculosis (TB) control and possible solutions.
DESIGN: A series of nine focus groups including a total of 49 physicians.
RESULTS: Three categories of barriers to effective TB control were identified: 1) uncertainty about appropriate clinical practice in the treatment of specific subgroups of patients, such as the elderly or immigrants; 2) organisational factors, such as the availability of diagnostic services and of sufficient resources; and 3) multiple barriers to a viable and effective TB control programme in a country with a low prevalence of TB.
CONCLUSIONS: The lack of integration and coordination of health services, as well as the scarcity of dedicated TB nurses, were perceived by the participants as crucial barriers to effective TB control. As a result of this study, a regional programme was started with the goals of quantifying the need for TB nurses and developing a better network for required health services. Qualitative studies such as this can be useful in improving TB control in a low-prevalence TB country, to identify problems and increase the participation of key professionals.
Keywords: focus group; prevention and control; tuberculosis
Document Type: Regular Paper
Affiliations: 1: Agenzia Sanitaria Regione Emilia Romagna, Area Rischio Infettivo, Bologna, Italy 2: Agenzia Sanitaria Regione Emilia Romagna, Sistema Comunicazione, Formazione e Documentazione, Bologna, Italy 3: Ospedale Bellaria, UO Pneumotisiatria, Bologna, Italy
Publication date: 01 December 2005
The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.
The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.
- Editorial Board
- Information for Authors
- Subscribe to this Title
- International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
- Public Health Action
- Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites
Receive new issue alert- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content