Role of Counselling to Facilitate Compliance to the Dots for the Treatment of Tuberculosis

• Main Authors: Siddiqua Aamir (Author), Nosheen Latif (Author), Anila Basit (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Archives of Pulmonology and Respiratory Care - Peertechz Publications, 2016-08-11.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p><strong>Objectives:</strong> The objective of the research was to determine and compare the effectiveness of structured counseling to improve adherence and continuation of directly observed treatment (DOTS). As multi drug resistance (MDR) is common due to default among TB patients, to overcome that counseling can play an important role. </p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> It was a comparative study. Research was conducted at the Pulmonology Unit of PGMI Govt. Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar on both in and out patients from January 2007 to May 2007. The sample comprised of sixty patients (N=60) diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The random sampling technique was used for the assignment of the patients to the experimental group (n= 30) and a control group (n=30). Data was analyzed with SPSS version 12. </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The results indicated that the majority of the experimental group patients adhered to the therapy 25 (83.3%) till the last follow -up counseling session dropout rate was 5 (16.6%) while among control group 9 (30 %) continued the treatment and kept on coming up for follow up sessions their dropout rate was 21 (70%). </p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Counseling of patients is important to optimize therapy, aid compliance and to inform patients' of any potential complications of therapy.</p>