The latest Journal of Advanced Nursing reports that many socially disadvantaged UK residents suffering from Tuberculosis (TB), need social help for better treatment.
A research across London by TB specialists found that the growing numbers pose a challenge for agencies trying to halt the spread of the disease."TB has risen considerably in major European cities in the last 10 years and London is no exception" says lead researcher Dr Gill Craig from The City University’s Institute of Health Sciences.
"Increased migration, poverty, HIV, poor quality and overcrowded housing, homelessness, the failure of TB control in institutionalised populations and lifestyle factors related to drug misuse have all played a role.
"Models of care that can cater for both the social and medical needs of patients are an essential, but often neglected, aspect of TB management and one that needs to be urgently addressed if we are to tackle this growing health issue."
The study, which covered 250 patients attending one London hospital between January 2003 and January 2005, found that the disease was more common among men (57 per cent) and people aged between 20 and 39 (60 per cent).
Other key findings included:
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* Just under a third were homeless, with 11 per cent living in a hostel or on the streets and a further 21 per cent staying with friends or relatives. 39 per cent were receiving welfare benefits and 13 per cent had no income.
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* More than a third anticipated problems taking their medicine and 30 per cent had no-one to remind them, suggesting a lack of social support.
* 48 per cent were admitted to hospital during their treatment, with hospital admissions for homeless people being longer and costing two and a half times more than admissions for non-homeless people.
* People were most likely to miss appointments if they had previously had TB or misused drugs or alcohol.
* A third of the 81 patients tested for HIV were positive.
"Our study shows that greater emphasis is needed on developing a social model of care, which includes TB link workers to enable access to housing and allied support services and promote partnership working with the statutory and voluntary sectors" concludes Dr Craig.
"That’s why The City University has developed a course to help professionals who deal with TB patients to work together in an effective and co-ordinated way.
"Meanwhile, the challenge for commissioners of TB services will be to link the evidence for social care with health policy and practice in order to re-configure services with an emphasis on social support and prevention."
Source-Eurekalert
LIN/S
