Exploring the Psychological, Socioeconomic, and Physical Experiences of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients During Illness and Treatment in Northern Ethiopia: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) continues to impose a significant multidimensional burden on patients. Despite considerable research on pulmonary TB in Ethiopia, the subjective experiences of patients remain insufficiently explored. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the psychological, socioeconomic, and physical experiences of pulmonary TB patients in Northern Ethiopia. A qualitative study design was utilized among pulmonary TB patients. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The sample size was determined based on information saturation. Data were collected using an interview guide through in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focused group discussions (FGDs). Data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) and supported by NVivo 12.0 software for data management. A total of 27 participants were involved in the study. The study generated three overarching themes. First theme: Psychological experiences as loss of self and future perspective encompassed depressive and anxiety symptoms, fear, and hopelessness that disrupted identity and treatment motivation. Second theme: Socioeconomic experiences as disruption of social standing and survival, indicated stigma, social isolation, and economic hardship challenges in maintaining family roles, while emphasizing the importance of family and social support. Third theme: Physical experiences as an obstacle to daily life and treatment adherence demonstrated that fatigue, medication side effects, transportation challenges, and anti-TB medication issues create compound barriers to daily functioning and treatment adherence. This study revealed that pulmonary TB patients experienced interconnected psychological, socioeconomic, and physical burdens extending beyond medical disease. Integrating psychosocial support, stigma-reduction, and patient-centered care into TB service may improve patient well-being and treatment outcomes.