Psychosocial and Nutritional Counselling Intervention for Tuberculosis Patient Improves Patient’s Stress and Treatment Adherence: A Case Study from Nepal

Abstract

Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) a major intervention of the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) was initiated in 1996 in Nepal. Inspite of various interventions, the DOTS programme does not include psychosocial counselling and nutrtional support to the TB patients. Globally, it has been seen that TB patients suffer from psychosocial problems such as feeling of loneliness, stress, stigmatization as well as economic problems. Likewise, a large proportion of them find it difficult to manage food for themselves. Keeping in mind the socio-economic and psychosocial hardships faced by the TB patients, it is essential to provide psycho-social counseling and nutritional support to the needy TB patients. In view of this Japan-Nepal Health and Tuberculosis Research Association (JANTRA) has been conducting psychosocial counselling and nutritional support activities since November 2016. The current explanatory case study reports findings from a TB patient who received psychosocial counselling and nutritional support. The psychosocial counselling included understanding patient’s pyschosocial problems and providing coping skills inclusive of stress management skills. The nutritional support included distribution of nutritious food to the patient. Overall, it was seen that counselling and nutritional support leads to better treatment adherence and cure. Therefore, it is recommended that the DOTS programme should be strengthened by the integration of psychosocial counselling and nutritional support to the TB patients.