THE ROLE OF THE PATRONAGE NURSE/TECHNICIAN IN VISITING AND EDUCATING PATIENTS WITH TUBERCULOSIS

Authors

  • Gordana Panova Faculty of Medical Sciences, Gotse Delchev University, Shtip, North Macedonia
  • Dimitar Kostovski

Keywords:

patronage nurses, tuberculosis, health education, continuous support, treatment success

Abstract

This paper explores the role and importance of patronage nurses/technicians in the care of patients with tuberculosis, with a particular focus on their contribution to improving health status and treatment success. The main hypothesis of the research is that patronage nurses significantly contribute to more successful treatment of patients through education, continuous support and monitoring of therapy.
To confirm this hypothesis, a qualitative research approach was applied, through conducting interviews with patronage nurses and patients with tuberculosis. The results show that regular home visits, detailed education about the disease and therapy, as well as the psychosocial support provided by patronage nurses, significantly improve adherence to therapy and result in better health outcomes for patients.
The conclusions of this research confirm the importance of patronage services as a key part of the health system in the fight against tuberculosis. Additionally, it is recommended to strengthen resources and support for patronage teams, in order to ensure an even greater positive effect on treatment and prevention of the spread of the disease.

References

Reid, M., Arinaminpathy, N., Bloom, A., Bloom, B. R., Boehme, C., Chaisson, R., ... & Zumla, A. (2023). Scientific advances and the end of tuberculosis: a report from the Lancet Commission on Tuberculosis. The Lancet, 402(10411), 1473–1498.

Mishra, P., Hansen, E. H., Sabroe, S., & Kafle, K. K. (2005). Socio-economic status and adherence to tuberculosis treatment: A case-control study in a district of Nepal. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 9(10), 1134–1139.

Hadley, M., & Maher, D. (2000). Community involvement in tuberculosis control: Lessons from other health care programmes. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 4(5), 401–408.

Maciel, E. L., Vieira, R. C., Milani, E. C., Brasil, M., Fregona, G., & Dietze, R. (2008). O agente comunitário de saúde no controle da tuberculose: conhecimentos e percepções [Community health workers and tuberculosis control: Knowledge and perceptions]. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 24(6), 1377–1386. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2008000600018

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Foundations for population health in community/public health nursing (5th ed.). Elsevier.

Smeltzer, S. C., Bare, B. G., Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2010). Brunner & Suddarth's textbook of medical-surgical nursing (12th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Lönnroth, K., Castro, K. G., Chakaya, J. M., Chauhan, L. S., Floyd, K., Glaziou, P., & Raviglione, M. C. (2010). Tuberculosis control and elimination 2010-50: Cure, care, and social development. The Lancet, 375(9728), 1814–1829. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60483-7

Furin, J., Cox, H., & Pai, M. (2019). Tuberculosis. The Lancet, 393(10181), 1642–1656. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30308-3

World Health Organization. (2019). Guidelines on tuberculosis infection prevention and control, 2019 update. World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2023). Global Tuberculosis Report 2023. World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2017). Guidelines for treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis and patient care, 2017 update. World Health Organization.

Downloads

Published

2025-08-20

How to Cite

Panova, G., & Kostovski, D. (2025). THE ROLE OF THE PATRONAGE NURSE/TECHNICIAN IN VISITING AND EDUCATING PATIENTS WITH TUBERCULOSIS. KNOWLEDGE - International Journal , 71(4), 569–573. Retrieved from https://ojs.ikm.mk/index.php/kij/article/view/7718

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 > >>