Why has God forsaken me? Understanding the spiritual struggles of older adults with tuberculosis: A descriptive phenomenological study

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health burden, with an estimated 10.7 million cases worldwide in 2024 and approximately 1.23 million deaths attributed to it. Older adult patients often experience spiritual distress that may influence their health behavior and treatment adherence. This study aimed to explore the lived spiritual experiences of older adults diagnosed with TB in the Maluku region of Indonesia. Methods: This qualitative study employed a Husserlian descriptive phenomenological approach involving 12 older adults diagnosed with TB. The study was conducted in primary healthcare facilities in Ambon City and Southeast Maluku Regency, two areas with a high number of reported TB cases in Maluku Province. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Results: Four main themes emerged: 1) initial emotional responses to a TB diagnosis, 2) spiritual roles in the healing process, 3) prayers and worship in TB treatment, and 4) spiritual values for resilience. Conclusions: These findings underscore the significance of integrating culturally sensitive spiritual support into TB care for older adults. Future studies should examine changes in spiritual coping and resilience across treatments and evaluate culturally appropriate spiritual care interventions in diverse religious groups.

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