Abstract:

Objective: To explore the latent class characteristics of self-management behaviors in pulmonary tuberculosis patients during their continuous treatment stage, analyze the influencing factors of different latent classes, and provide a reference for formulating individualized out-of-hospital intervention strategies. Methods: Using convenient sampling method, 403 pulmonary tuberculosis patients who completed initial treatment at Zhengzhou Sixth People’s Hospital from June to December 2025, were selected as research subjects. These patients were then transferred to home for continuous treatment and received follow-up visits. A general information questionnaire, the Self-management Scale for Tuberculosis Patients, and the Nursing Needs Questionnaire for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Receiving Home Treatment were used to conduct a questionnaire survey, and Mplus 8.3 software was adopted for latent profile analysis. Results: The self-management behaviors of newly treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients during the continuous treatment stage could be divided into three latent classes: the low cognition-low willingness-moderately strong behavior group (24 cases, 6.0%), the low cognition-moderate willingness-weak behavior group (85 cases, 21.0%), and the high self-management group (294 cases, 73.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that, with the high self-management group as the reference group, the independent and relevant factors for the low cognition-low willingness-moderate behavior group were: no stable occupation (OR=14.737, 95%CI:2.995-72.501), treatment duration <3 months (OR=8.914, 95%CI:2.081-38.179), 3-6 months (OR=7.352, 95%CI:1.948-27.748), and no tuberculosis family contact history (OR=5.232, 95%CI:1.405-19.476); the risk factors for the low cognition-moderate willingness-weak behavior group were: no stable occupation (OR=8.089, 95%CI:3.033-21.574), treatment duration <3 months (OR=7.251, 95%CI:3.023-17.391), no family contact history (OR=5.738, 95%CI:2.565-12.835), treatment duration 3-6 months (OR=3.465, 95%CI:1.557-7.713), and no chronic diseases (OR=2.867, 95%CI:1.293-6.361). Conclusion: Self-management behaviors exhibit prominent heterogeneity among pulmonary tuberculosis patients receiving continuous treatment. Occupational stability, treatment duration, chronic disease history, family tuberculosis contact history, and age serve as key determinants of self-management subgroups.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary, Disease management, Models, statistical, Epidemiologic factors