Study of defaulters amongst pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending DOTS centre in urban area of Ghaziabad district

Abstract

Background: the main problem of chemotherapy today is not the need to introduce new regimens or more potent drugs, but to apply the existing ones successfully and patient compliance was critically important throughout the prescribed period of treatment. Objectives: to determine the default rate among above Tuberculosis patients under DOTS and to elicit reasons of treatment default in the above tuberculosis patients. Study design: Observational Cross-Sectional Study. Setting: The study was carried out in selected DOTS centers of district Ghaziabad. Participants: 850 study subjects age group more than 15 years. Sampling: Multistage sampling. Statistical Analysis: SPSS version 13. Study period: May 2014 to April 2015. Results: Defaulters amongst pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending DOTS centre in urban area of Ghaziabad district from two selected T.U. the defaulter rate in urban Ghaziabad was 6.5%. Majority (36.36%) of the defaulters belong to 15-25 years age group. Among defaulters 63.6% were males as compared to 36.4% were females. Defaulter rate was high among those who were illiterate (36.36%). Defaulter were higher in upper lower class (72.72%). Important reasons as stated by the defaulters for interrupting treatment was fear of side effects of drugs (81.81%), quick relief from symptoms of disease (72.72%), clash with working time (45.45%), left the locality36.36%). Conclusion:It was concluded that the defaulter rate in urban Ghaziabad was 6.5%. Majority (36.36%) of the defaulters belong to 15-25 years age group. Important reasons by the defaulters for interrupting treatment was fear of side effects of drugs.