Shelter workers' perception of their role and factors in assisting homeless persons on preventive therapy for tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a threat to the health of homeless persons. Many factors, including residence in a homeless shelter, may have an impact on homeless persons' TB infection and its treatment. The conceptual orientation for this study consisted of components of the Health Belief Model: barriers, benefits, and cues to action. A descriptive design was used for secondary analysis in this study of homeless shelter workers' perceptions of their role and factors related to maintenance of homeless shelter residents on preventive therapy for tuberculosis. Data from interviews using a Shelter Worker Interview Guide in the parent study were content analyzed to address the research questions. Shelter workers perceived their roles as liaison, communicator, educator, care-provider, and clerk, providing cues to action for shelter residents. As part of the natural network of persons in contact with shelter residents, shelter workers perceive themselves as providing support for maintenance of preventive therapy for tuberculosis.