Treatment compliance and associated demographic factors in newly diagnosed tuberculous patients on directly observed therapy - short course [DOTS]

ABSTRACT

To asses the treatment compliance and effectiveness of DOTS program at a secondary health facility level. A Hospital based Cross Sectional study. Patients attending TB clinic at Taluka Hospital SajawaL District Thatta Sindh. a secondary health facility during 2003-2004. A total of 240 Patients were enrolled for the study irrespective of gender, ethnicity and religion. Present study showed population compliance of 82.19%, success rate of 75% and disease specific death rate [case fatality rate] of 7.5% on DOTS therapy. DOTS [directly observed treatment short-course] strategy for tuberculosis [TB] control as recommended by the World Health Organization has proved to be a is a very effective program for decreasing morbidity and mortality in tuberculous patients provided it is practiced properly