Gyimah, F.T.Dako-Gyeke, P.2019-05-202019-05-202019-03https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-019-0459-9http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/30111Background:Tuberculosis (TB) was declared a global emergency in 1993 by the World Health Organization (WHO).Despite available interventions initiated by the WHO and some countries, the disease remains a key public healthproblem. The rates of TB infection and its associated burden is unevenly distributed across the globe with greaterseverity in low-to-middle income countries. This paper therefore explored the experiences of TB patients and healthcare providers pertaining to patients’care and support during treatment, in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana.Methods:A qualitative approach using phenomenology was employed to explore participants’experiences. Maximumvariation sampling, a type of purposive sampling was employed in selecting participants who exhibit a wide range ofbehaviours and experiences.Thirty (30) In-depth Interviews and three (3) Key Informant Interviews were conducted inselected facilities within a period of three months in 2018. The data was audio-recorded, transcribed, and transportedinto Nvivo version 11, for data management and coding. Content analysis of data was carried out for thegeneration of themes.Results:The findings revealed that good knowledge of TB treatment practices did not spontaneously shapeperceptions towards treatment. Factors including prevailing cultural beliefs, physical and psychological stress,consequences of patient’s interrupted labour and health system challenges were hindrances in caring for TBpatients. Physical, mental and spiritual mechanisms were adopted to cope with challenges.Conclusion:Personal patient-related challenges and health system bottlenecks were major influencing factors in providingcare and support to TB clients. The National Tuberculosis control Program (NTP) of Ghana should adopt measuresand provide the required financial, infrastructural and human resources for the augmentation of patients’treatment.enTuberculosisDirect observed treatment short coursePatient-related barriersHealth system-related challengesCoping strategiesPhenomenologyArticle