TB identification: A case of realization and reinforcement
Asamaul Khatun, 55, lives in Mohattari with 5 members in the family, including a married daughter. The chicken and the buffalo herds are the main source of their income.
Our volunteer met her during tuberculosis screening in the ward. In the meeting, he informed her about our program and with her permission; he collected the sputum sample and tested them in the laboratory. She was diagnosed with TB by the test and immediately enrolled for treatment on October 24, 2017. However, during our monitoring visits, we realised that she had stopped taking medicines after 3 weeks. The team tried a series of counselling visits with her. However, she refused to acknowledge that she had TB and migrated to another town without informing anybody. Later, while monitoring in Bharatpur health post, we found her. She had started medication for a more severe form of TB from December 27, 2017. There, she narrated what had happened. She recalls, “I did not believe I had TB from the first examination. So, I went to a hospital in Sarlahi with my relative for the re-test and got the report positive. I told the doctor about the earlier test and realized I needed to take medicine of higher dose now. I deeply regret not listening to you. Due to this I had to take injections for two months and also lost time and money. I feel better now. Thanks to you and your organization for supporting me. I promise that I will not stop using the drug until I am cured. And, I will definitely recommend my neighbours and family members to contact you if I find a TB symptomatic case in future.”
Now, on her recommendation and active involvement, her nephew, Amanul Nadaf was tested for TB. He is now undergoing treatment for tuberculosis in Mahottari.
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