Rural Physicians’ Experiences with Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Pediatric Tuberculosis Before and After Disasters in Bohol

Abstract

This paper documents the experiences of rural physicians in managing pediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases before and after disasters in Bohol, Philippines. The participants are from the public and private healthcare systems in municipalities heavily affected and less affected by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and the super typhoon that struck the province in 2013. The discussions centered on the burden, diagnosis, treatment, management, and referral of pediatric TB and how their circumstances changed before, during, and after the disasters. It found that the situation of pediatric TB in the area was almost unchanged. Both healthcare sectors still struggle with stockouts of diagnostic supplies and medications, which result in the disruption of TB diagnosis and treatment and loss to follow-up among patients. The disasters further exacerbated these longstanding challenges.