Effectiveness of Different Models of DOTS Providers under RNTCP in Ahmedabad City, Gujarat

BACKGROUND: The most effective DOTS provider will be the one who is accessible, acceptable to the patient, and accountable to the health system. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to assess the effectiveness of the different types of DOTS providers functioning under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Atotal of 200 patients, treated under RNTCP during September to December 2004, were selected for the study. RESULTS: A total of 105 and 95 patients were under the supervision of tuberculosis health visitors (TBHVs) and non-TBHVs, respectively. During the intensive phase, around 95% of the patients took the medicine under the direct observation in both the groups. Supervision of the first dose of treatment in a week during the continuation phase was significantly better with the TBHV (94.74%) as compared to the non-TBHV (79.31%). However, there was no significant difference in the cure and the completed rate which was 76.19% with the TBHV and 86.13% with the non-TBHV. CONCLUSION: The available community workforce could be involved in supervising the intermittent short course chemotherapy.