Moving from fear to realization: Family engagement in tuberculosis prevention in children living in tuberculosis Sundanese households in Indonesia

Abstract

Objective: Children living in tuberculosis households need protection. However, families need to be engaged to prevent tuberculosis transmission to children. This study aimed to analyze the details of "moving from fear to realization," which is one category of a substantive theory of family engagement in tuberculosis prevention in children.

Methods: Fourteen family caregivers participated as key informants after their families met the criteria. The participants were recruited at a lung clinic in West Java, Indonesia and followed up at their homes. The data were gathered using in-depth interviews and analyzed following the coding procedures of the Straussian grounded theory.

Findings: "Moving from fear to realization" was the main category that emerged from the experiences of the Sundanese families to begin engaging in tuberculosis prevention in children living in tuberculosis households. It was composed of four sub-categories, namely, fear of tuberculosis, seeking information, following God's will, and awareness of tuberculosis transmission risks.

Conclusions: This study showed how a family moves from fear to the realization of tuberculosis transmission risks. Its findings are useful for nurses to provide optimum care in order to prevent tuberculosis transmission to children with household contact by providing both education and counseling for families.

Keywords: Child; Family; Indonesia; Qualitative research; Tuberculosis.