TUBERCULOSIS;
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT: DOTS (DIRECTLY OBSERVED TREATMENT SHORT COURSE) BY MEDICAL OFFICERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/2017.24.07.1103Keywords:
TB,, MOs,, DOTS,, Sputum examination,, Anti-tuberculosis drugs,, MDR.Abstract
Background: TB is highly prevalent in Pakistan. The Pakistan government has,
therefore, given high priority to Tuberculosis control. It has declared TB to be considered as
National Emergency in 2001, and has extended the WHO suggested TB control strategy (or
DOTS) throughout the all health services of the Health Ministry by May of 20051.Therefore it is
very essential to assess the knowledge about TB and its implementation in tertiary hospitals
which are the main source of providing treatment. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of
medical offices about the diagnosis of tuberculosis case, treatment of tuberculosis cases
and the practice of TB DOTS by the MOs in teaching hospitals of Faisalabad City. Place and
Duration of Study: It was carried out in teaching hospitals. “Allied Hospital and district head
quarter hospital” in Faisalabad City, in one month from 10 June 2014 to July 10 2014, Fifty MOs
were assessed by the questionnaires methodology. Study Design: The study design was cross
sectional study. Sample Technique: Simple non-random sampling. Materials & Methods: The
MOs were given the questionnaires and before filling it, they were also provided with consent
form, to get their consent in written. The sample of consent form and questionnaires are
given at end. MOs are assessed randomly. Results: In this study, the response obtained in
questionnaires were analyzed individually. When we calculate the percentage of doctors have
knowledge about DOTS in Faisalabad. We get following results: 77.5% of MOS in teaching
hospital of Faisalabad have knowledge about DOTS in Faisalabad. When we calculate the
percentage of doctors practicing DOTS in Faisalabad. We get following results so 18.64% of
MOs practice DOTS. Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that though majority of MOs
have the knowledge but they are not practicing it. So there is a need of strict enforcement to
implement this program effectively to achieve a better control of TB under guidelines of WHO.
