Vol. 2 No. 5 (2026): Oktober
Articles

TUBERCULOSIS KNOWLEDGE AND BARRIERS TO DIRECTLY OBSERVED TREATMENT AMONG PATIENTS IN TURISCAI, TIMOR-LESTE

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  • Domingos Tavares
Domingos Tavares
Servisu Munisipal Saúde Manufahi

Published 2026-10-14

Keywords

  • Tuberculosis,
  • Tuberculosis Knowledge,
  • Treatment Adherence,
  • Directly Observed Treatment,
  • Timor-Leste

Abstract

This study examined tuberculosis knowledge and treatment-related practices among patients with bacteriologically positive tuberculosis at Centro de Saúde Turiscai, Manufahi Municipality, Timor-Leste. The study included 30 patients registered in 2010 and employed a descriptive research design. Data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and tuberculosis program records and analyzed using descriptive frequency distributions. The findings showed that 80% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement assessing their knowledge of tuberculosis. Furthermore, 90% strongly agreed with the statements concerning tuberculosis transmission and the benefits and side effects of anti-tuberculosis medication, while 93% strongly agreed with the statement concerning treatment duration. However, understanding tuberculosis and its treatment did not necessarily translate into participation in directly observed treatment (DOT). Approximately 57% of respondents reported difficulties attending DOT, mainly because of distance to health facilities and transportation costs. These findings highlight the importance of addressing geographical and economic barriers alongside patient education to support treatment participation. Improving healthcare accessibility and strengthening patient follow-up may help address these challenges. The findings should be interpreted cautiously because the study involved a small, facility-based sample and relied on descriptive data collected in 2010.

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