Edukasi dan Pendampingan Pasien Tuberkulosis Paru di Aceh Barat: Peningkatan Pengetahuan dan Penguatan Komitmen Pendampingan

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health issue that requires ongoing support throughout the treatment process. This community service initiative aimed to assess changes in participants knowledge and the readiness of family members to support patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary TB. The activity was conducted in West Aceh Regency in September 2026. It featured interactive education sessions attended by 30 patients and 30 of their family members, supplemented by continued support. Evaluation was carried out through pre- and post-tests on knowledge, observation of participation, and brief interviews with family members and community health volunteers. The average knowledge score increased from 55 before the education sessions to 82 afterward a descriptive gain of 27 points. Based on affirmative statements made during discussions and interviews, 26 out of 30 family members (86.7%) expressed their readiness to assist by reminding patients of their medication schedules, accompanying them to collect medication or attend follow-up appointments, providing emotional support, and communicating with healthcare providers should any obstacles arise. These findings indicate a measurable improvement in knowledge and a self-reported readiness among family members to provide support. However, actual medication-taking behavior and the incidence of "loss to follow-up" were not directly measured. Further monitoring utilizing documented evaluation instruments and specific indicators of treatment adherence is necessary to assess the long-term sustainability of these outcomes.