Introduction:

The increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) threatens global progress in eliminating TB, and constitutes a major challenge for patients, health-care workers and health services. Treatment for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) can last almost 2 years, and is more expensive, more toxic, and less effective than treating TB caused by drug-sensitive bacilli. This study aims to analyze patients’ narratives about the challenges they face during MDR-TB treatment and identify the support factors that help patients being treated in the most populous district of Portugal.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients

being treated for MDR-TB. The interviews were coded using thematic analysis. They were audio-recorded, transcribed, and transported into NVivo v12 for data management and coding.

Results:

Depression, social discrimination, and the side effects of drugs are the main challenges faced by patients with MDR-TB. A good relationship of the patients with the health team, emotional support, and supervised treatment stand out as the factors that generate better adherence and treatment success. Conclusion: In addition to modern diagnostic techniques and new treatments, MDR-TB can be fought by focusing on the care and needs of patients. We suggest that the Lisbon Tuberculosis Program adopts the following measures: build the health-care team’s capacity to identify symptoms of depression early, increase public awareness of the disease, expand the multidisciplinary team, and expand the options for individualized social support for patients.

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