Using incentives to improve tuberculosis treatment results: lesson from Tajikistan.

Project HOPE implemented a four-year project in Tajikistan to control the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic there. Begun in 2001 the project had two principal objectives: 1. To implement an effective directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) program in two pilot sites and 2. To determine the impact of food supplements as an incentive for TB patients to complete their therapy. In partnership with the Tajikistan National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Red Crescent Society the project worked to develop staff capacity for DOTS implementation at two pilot sites and to provide food incentives for vulnerable TB patients. (excerpt)