Management Practices of TB DOTS Nurses in Dealing with TB Patients

AUTHOR(S)

TJ BRYAN M. MAMOGAY, RN FREDA B. LOPEZ, RN, EdD

ABSTRACT

— The study determined the management practices of the TB DOTS nurses in dealing with TB patients. Their socio-demographic profile was taken among TB DOTS nurses assigned in the Rural Health units, Community Hospital, and District Hospital within the Urdaneta District InterLocal Health Zone. A descriptive research design was utilized, and a survey questionnaire was based on the manual on tuberculosis. Different statistical tools were used in the computation of results that include frequency counts and percentages, weighted means, t-test, and analysis of Variance. The TB DOTS nurse respondents were mostly middle-aged adults, married, Bachelor’s degree holders, TB DOTS nurses, had been in the service for a few years, and had undergone several trainings. The management practices of the TB DOTS nurses were perceived to be highest along recording and reporting, case finding, management of TB drugs, and case holding, and perceived that the other areas need to be improved, particularly in advance communication, referral system and monitoring, supervision and evaluation. There were no significant differences or relationships noted in all the profile variables, which suggests the acceptance of the null hypothesis. The proposed advocacy program can be adapted by the different health care institutions to improve the practices of TB DOTS nurses among their TB patients. Future studies can be done on a wider scale using other variables of the study. Keywords — Management practices, TB patients, TB DOTS Nurses, Rural Health Units