Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) appears to have reduced the self-care role of the pulmonary tuberculosis patient: evidence from a correlational study between Personal Health Beliefs (PHB) and Self-Care Practices (SCP)

Tuberculosis (TB) affects the poorest in the world, 95% of the new cases reported every year are from developing countries.1 In Zimbabwe TB was ranked10* public health problem and5* condition that cause hospital morbidity and mortality among People Living With HIV/ AIDS (PLWA).2 In the same year Harare City Health Department reported an increase of new cases from 2.99% in 2002 to 9.3% in 2003.2 (WHO Health Facility Based Data/ Standard Supplementary/ Health March, 2010) also estimated the TB./HIV/AIDS co-infection at 72% in Zimbabwe. TB infection affects all age groups and can seriously interfere with a person's quality of life.8 Hence TB remains a challenge that requires effective strategies that can facilitate the reduction of the disease burden by TB patients. World Health Organization (WHO) recommended DOTS as a modality that can effectively deal with issues of adherence to TB treatment.

A journal article examining the relationship between personal health beliefs and self-care practices among 69 pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged 25 to 65 years at a tuberculosis clinic in Zimbabwe,