Treatment of New Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients by DOT in Singburi Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare cure rate and sputum conversion rate of new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients between DOT and self-administered regimen. Another purpose was to study factors related to acceptance of DOT treatment. The patients were registered in T.B. clinic of Singburi Hospital during October 1st, 2003 to September 30th, 2006. There were 88 patients, 62 males and 26 females, aged between 21 to 87. Average age was 43.6 ± 16.7 years old. DOT treatment covered 59.1 %. Overall cure rate was 78.4 %. Cure rate of DOT regimen was 80.8 %.This was more than cure rate of self-administered regimen (75.0%), but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Sputum conversion rate of DOT regimen was 82.7% which was less than conversion rate of self-administered regimen (88.8%) but not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). In analysis of factors such as age, gender, occupation, living location and HIV infection, no relation was found to DOT acceptance. For better control of pulmonary tuberculosis, DOT administration should be maximized by DOT network among reliable health staff nearby patient's home.