Determinants of tuberculosis patients attending Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) centre for prevention of default in TB treatment

Introduction: It was necessary to understand the reasons for default after initiation of the treatment and plan strategies to reduce default and thereby increase the success of treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: The present observational cross-sectional study was carried out in selected DOTS centers of district Ghaziabad Department of Community Medicine, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad. All new sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were taking treatment from sampled DOTS Centers. The study was carried out in one year from May 2014 to April 2015. Results: 45.7% tuberculosis patients were unemployed. 35.29% of TB patients were educated up to primary 24.70% pt were illiterate. 54.11% of TB patients belong to upper lower class. 34.11% were in lower class. Among the TB patients 76.47% were smoker whereas 23.53% were non smoker. Among the TB patients 77.65% were alcoholic whereas 22.35% were non alcoholic. 83.53% TB patients had no family h/o of contact while 16.47% TB patients had Family h/o of contact. Among tuberculosis patients 77.65% were aware about the curability of tuberculosis while 22.35% were not aware about the curability of TB. 34.12% patients were aware about Modes of Transmission of Tuberculosis and 65.88% TB patients were not aware about Modes of Transmission of Tuberculosis. Conclusion: It was concluded that socioeconomic standard of tuberculosis is low and give health education to improve personal habit and stop TB Transmission. Awareness about modes of transmission of tuberculosis was low. Awareness about curability of tuberculosis and knowledge and proper treatment of pulmonary Tuberculosis is poor. Keywords: curability, DOTS Centre, mode of transmission, occupation, socioeconomic status, TB patients.