1Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Haldwani, Nainital
2Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Haldwani, Nainital
3Professor and Head, Department of TB and Chest, Government Medical College, Haldwani, Nainital
4Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, BPS Government Medical College, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana
5Resident, Department of Community Medicine Government Medical College, Haldwani, Nainital
Online published on 14 October, 2016.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in India, and it is being made worse by poor adherence to and frequent interruption of antitubercular treatment. Directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) is one of the key elements in the WHO global tuberculosis control program strategy. Limited studies have been conducted in Uttarakhand state to compare DOTS and Self-administered therapy (SAT).
To compare the effectiveness of DOTS and SAT in patients with tuberculosis.
This prospective study was conducted in 120 patients of tuberculosis in the department of TB and Chest of Government Medical College Haldwani, Nainital from March 2014 to November 2014. Patients with both pulmonary and Extra pulmonary TB with no previous history of Anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) were included in the study. Sixty patients of tuberculosis on DOTS and 60 patients on SAT were followed. Sputum smear and radiological examination was repeated at 2, 4, and 6 months after initiation of ATT.
Out of 120 patients included in the study, 72(60%) were male. Seventy two (60%) were in age group of 16–45 years while rest were in the age group > 45 years. Fifty (83.3%) patients were successfully treated under intermittent DOT compared to 40 (66.7%) under SAT and it was found to be statistically significant.
The treatment outcome of the patients treated with DOTS was better than those treated with SAT
Directly observed therapy, Self administered therapy, Tuberculosis
