Caring : Indonesian Journal of Nursing Science
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Vol 8 No 1 2026 Caring: Indonesia Journal of Nursing Science

Nurses’ Perspectives on Challenges to Parental Compliance in Childhood Tuberculosis Therapy: A Clinical Study at Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Hospital, University of Sumatra Utara: Strategies for Improving Treatment Adherence

Dewi Elizadiani Suza (Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia)
Hulwana Husna (Nursing Student, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara Indonesia)
Nur Afi Darti (Department of Maternity Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia)
Mahnum Lailan Nasution (Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia)
Dina Rasmita (Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Jul 2026

Abstract

Parental adherence is critical to the successful treatment of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and the prevention of drug resistance. This study explored nurses’ perspectives on barriers to parental adherence in the management of childhood TB. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 nurses who had at least five years of experience in pediatric TB care at Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Hospital, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s thematic analysis framework. Three major themes emerged: challenges in the clinical management of pediatric TB, barriers to treatment adherence, and nursing interventions to address treatment obstacles. Nurses described emotional burden, fear of infection, complex treatment regimens, workload pressures, limited parental health literacy, socioeconomic difficulties, stigma, and premature discontinuation of treatment when children showed clinical improvement. Effective management of pediatric TB requires family-centered nursing approaches, clear communication, psychosocial support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Improving nurse-to-patient ratios and strengthening nurses’ communication competencies may enhance parental adherence and contribute to better long-term treatment outcomes. Keyword: Parental Compliance, Pediatric Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Multi-Drug Resistance, Health Education, Tuberculosis

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJNS

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

Caring: Indonesian Journal of Nursing Science (IJNS) is an international nursing journal published by the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. IJNS is a peer reviewed journal and welcomes scientific works from nurses, academics, and practitioners in their ...