DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i02.020

Pages: 627-630

The effectiveness of India’s TB control programs depend critically on patient compliance and completion of full course of treatment. Discontinuing treatment prior to completion of treatment, can leave patients infectious for longer time, the emergence of multidrug resistance and consequently spread of infection. A case study was conducted in tertiary health center. Patients were interviewed by semi-structured questionnaire. The majority (63%) of responders were the age group of (21-40) years. Males (72%) and rural population (70%) constituted the majority of the interviewed patients. Most of the patients were defaulted in the continuation phase of treatment than the intensive phase of treatment. The majority of patients gave multiple reasons rather than single reason for stopping anti-tubercular treatment. Most common reason of stoppage of treatment was disappearance of symptoms 87(87%), followed by work related reasons 60(60%) and side effects of ATT 50(50%). Other important factors were lack of transportation 28(28%) and health facilities far away 23(23%). Some other reasons includes traditional methods/beliefs 16(16%), financial constraint 11(11%), functions (10%) and festivals (8%). Majority of risk factors for default were treatment and provider oriented and rectifiable with appropriate interventions, which would help in sustaining the good programme performance.