A social study of compliance with DOTS
Sukumaran, P.; Venugopal, K.P.; Manjooran, R.S.
Indian Journal of Tuberculosis 49(4): 205-208
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5707 Document Number: 253945
In India, a study was conducted in the District TB Centre of Kottayam in Kerala to evaluate the social compliance of tuberculosis patients to directly observed therapy/DOTS in the field . Using a field-tested questionnaire, 100 randomly selected patients were interviewed on five different occasions during their visits to the centre. Information regarding disease awareness, attitudes towards DOTS, improvement of symptoms, adverse effects of treatment, and general well-being were obtained. Results showed that the awareness level regarding the disease was high (91%), and 40% were knowledgeable about its treatment. However, none knew about DOTS. Marked amelioration of symptoms was reported by 27% after the first month of treatment, going up to 89% by the end of the second month; 6% reported no benefit, while 3% were lost to follow-up. 73 patients reported adverse effects with treatment, with fatigue being the most common complaint. At the end of treatment, 91% were satisfied with DOTS, 6% were dissatisfied, and 3% had no opinion. Only 29% reported suffering from social stigma due to their disease.