Abstract
BackgroundClustered tuberculosis (TB) still occurred nationally in Chinese schools every year, where high school students patients accounts for the highest proportion. These young TB patients are in a critical period of physical and psychological growth. Research on their illness experience and analysis of underlying causes remains blank. The purpose of this study is to explore the overall illness experience of Chinese high school TB patients and to investigate the individual and social causes of such experience.MethodsTwenty-two high school TB patients in a certain county of Shaanxi province were interviewed in-depth twice when initial diagnosed and during intermediate treatment periods. Interview data were analyzed by framework approach.ResultsThe high school TB patients worried about interruption of studies rather than the disease. They generally showed a lack of awareness of tuberculosis, were highly dependent on parents, and received assistance from teachers and students during the treatment. Most of them did not show obvious stigma.ConclusionThe unique education system and sociocultural factors in China are the root of special illness experience of high school TB patients. Huge pressure in college entrance examination leads sick students to worry about interruption of studies more than the disease itself. Their serious lack of awareness of TB, caused by the ignorance of school, parents and the students, becomes the biggest obstacle to timely diagnosis and treatment. Whether high dependence on parents is conducive to disease recovery varies with each individual. Meanwhile, patients’ weak stigma could play a positive role in disease recovery. Educational and medical institutions should develop more effective TB control strategies based on these factors.
Highlights
Clustered tuberculosis (TB) still occurred nationally in Chinese schools every year, where high school students patients accounts for the highest proportion
The purpose of this study is to investigate in depth the illness perception and experience of Chinese high school TB patients and analyze its individual and social causes, in order to provide the basis for preventive treatment and for improving the life and well-being of these patients
S6: I will soon take the college entrance examination, but I can’t go to school and am unable to study in the ward as well
Summary
Clustered tuberculosis (TB) still occurred nationally in Chinese schools every year, where high school students patients accounts for the highest proportion. These young TB patients are in a critical period of physical and psychological growth. Twenty-one cases of clustered TB in schools had been reported nationwide from January 2009 to June 2013 according to the Management Information System for Public Health Emergencies. In 1961, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health jointly issued the Notice on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases for Students: Tuberculosis and Hepatitis, which was first to regard TB as a focus of infectious disease control in Chinese schools. In 2006, the ministries again jointly issued the Specification for Epidemic Reporting of Infectious Diseases in School, Nurseries and Kindergartens (Trial) to further strengthen the reporting of information related to public health emergencies such as outbreaks of TB and other infectious diseases
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