Tuberculosis prevention project

Abstract

This article reports the findings from a clinical study that examined the impact of health education and counseling on the decision of a patient infected with tuberculosis (TB) to complete a regimen of isoniazid (INH) chemoprophylaxis for 6 months to prevent TB. Forty patients were divided into two groups; both groups were administered a questionnaire to collect demographic data and medical history. One group received additional health education and counseling independent of clinic staff, and the other group only received health education and counseling from clinic staff. The proportion of patients in the first group who completed INH for 6 months (63.6%) was significantly greater than the proportion of patients in the second group (11.1%). These findings suggest that health education and counseling did make an impact on the decision of a patient infected with TB to conform with a rational choice when provided with information and a supportive relationship about the consequences of TB infection.