To Study the Perception of Patients About Duration of Treatment and Curability of Tuberculosis Disease Treated Under RNTCP in Karad Tuberculosis Unit

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) in INDIA. OBJECTIVES: To study the perception of patients about duration of treatment and curability of tuberculosis disease treated under RNTCP in Karad Tuberculosis Unit. MATERIAL & METHODS: The present longitudinal study was carried out during January2008 to June 2009 on patients registered at Karad TU catering 9 PHCs, Sub District Hospital, Krishna Hospital & 6DMCs with 3ICTCs.In total 806 patients were study subjects with prior permission of District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO).Patients were interviewed using semi structured questionnaires at their residence in defined time period i.e. at the start of treatment, after completion of IP. RESULT &OBSERVATIONS: Out of 806 patients, 334 (41.4%) gave correct answers out of which 257 (41.5%) were literate while 77(41.4%) were illiterate, 48(6%) patients gave incorrect answers of which 38(6.1%) were literate and 10 (5.4%) were illiterate. Out of 806 patients, it was observed that 376 (46.6%) told disease is curable while out of which 289 (46.6%) were literate, 26(3.2%) patients told disease is not curable out of which 20 (3.2%) were literate and 6 (3.2%) were illiterate. 404 (50.1%)patients did not know the curability of disease. CONCLUSION: More than 50% of males and female patients were unaware about duration of treatment in this study. Males 225 (27.9%) were aware about the curability of tuberculosis than female 151 (18.7%) in this study.