STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The purpose of the study is to determine the nurses caring factors and coping mechanisms

of patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) program in a selected hospital. Specifically, the study would like to answer the following questions: 1.) What are the caring factors of nurses as perceived by patients with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) program? 2.) What are the coping mechanisms of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) program as perceived by nurses? 3.) What is the significant difference between nurses caring factors perceived by patients and coping mechanisms of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) program as perceived by nurses? 4.) What is the significant relationship between nurses caring factors and coping mechanisms of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) program?