"Strengthening Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment Adherence: The Pivotal Role of Community Health Nursing"

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health challenge despite the availability of effective diagnostic tools and treatment regimens. The burden of TB is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries, where social determinants of health, limited access to healthcare, and poor treatment adherence continue to hinder TB control efforts. Community health nurses play a pivotal role in tuberculosis prevention, early detection, treatment adherence, and long-term follow-up at the community level. This review article explores comprehensive community health nursing strategies for tuberculosis prevention and adherence, emphasizing health education, early case detection, directly observed treatment, psychosocial support, community engagement, and the use of technology. The article highlights the importance of culturally sensitive, patient-centered, and evidence-based nursing interventions to reduce TB transmission, improve treatment completion rates, and enhance overall community health outcomes. Strengthening community health nursing capacity is essential for achieving national and global TB elimination goals.