Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Introduction: DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse) centers are the actual place in the implementation of the treatment programme against tuberculosis at ground level. Working pattern at this level maximally influence the patient adherence to treatment, satisfaction and prognosis. Material & Method: A Cross Sectional study was conducted in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh.  A total of 60 dots centers and 431 patients on DOTS in these centers were chosen for the study by applying multistage random sampling. A salient observation of the dot centers and a face to face interview of the DOT providers and patients on DOTS have been performed by the observer and recorded on a pilot tested Performa by making 3 visits on each dot centers. The collected data, was coded manually, tabulated and analyzed statistically by using SPSS version 16. Result: Working of 80% DOT center was found to be satisfactory. A total of 271 (67.8%) patients were found highly satisfied with the treatment, 67(16.7%) were just satisfied and 62(15.5%) were found not satisfied with the treatment. The major factor of satisfaction were totally free cost of the treatment ,easy availability of the medicines nearby their homes or working place, motivation and health education about the disease has told by the dot providers.  Conclusion: Working at DOT center level maximally influences the target of the programme.  Efforts should be made for working best at this level to achieve goal of the programme.
Keywords: DOTS; Tuberculosis; RNTCP; Vaccine