Abstract

The study examined social support and tuberculosis management and prevention among TB patients in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. The study was guided by three research questions and three research hypotheses. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 3,002 TB patients in Akwa South Senatorial District. A sample size of 353 TB patients obtained using Taro Yamane’s formula was used for the study. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting the sample size for the study. The researcher developed instrument used in collecting data for the study was tagged “Social Support and Tuberculosis Management and Prevention among TB Patients Questionnaire (SSTMPTBPQ)”. The instrument was duly validated by three experts in the Faculty of Education, University of Uyo, Uyo. Cronbach Alpha Statistics was used to obtain a reliability coefficient of 0.89 for the SSTMPTBPQ. Regression analysis statistics was used in answering the research questions and in testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study shown that emotional, information and peer group supports significantly influence tuberculosis management and prevention among TB patients in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. It was concluded that strengthening emotional, informational and peer group supports systems through collaborative integrated strategies is essential for improving TB management and prevention, reducing stigma and decreasing the burden of tuberculosis among patients. It was recommended among others that healthcare providers, families and caregivers should strengthen counseling and psychosocial support services to improve TB patients’ emotional well-being, reduce stress, and enhance treatment adherence to achieve better treatment outcomes and effective TB management and prevention