Assessment of directly observed therapy short-course (DOTs) of tuberculosis in Dakahlia governorate chest hospitals from 2006 to 2011

Abstract

Abstract Aim The aim of the study was to assess directly observed therapy short-course administered to diagnosed cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the period from 2006 to 2011 in Dakahlia chest hospitals as a tool for the treatment and control of TB in the community. Materials and methods Comprehensive collection of data was carried out of all TB cases registered in the Dakahlia governorate (six hospitals) from 2006 to 2011. Results TB was most commonly prevalent in the age group 15–29 years (32.3%). TB was common in male (65.6%) than female (34.4%), and common in rural areas (90%); in urban areas, the prevalence was 10%. Pulmonary cases (66.9%) were more prevalent than extrapulmonary cases (33.1%). There was a significant reduction in pulmonary cases from 69.2% in 2006 to 56.5% in 2011 and there was a significant increase in extrapulmonary cases from 30.8% in 2006 to 43.5% in 2011. The most common site of TB was sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB (74.2%) and sputum smearnegative pulmonary TB (25.8%). The most common site of extrapulmonary TB was pleural TB (50.9%) and tuberculous lymphadenitis (19.6%). New cases (88.8%) represented the highest percentage of all cases attending for treatment. Sputum conversion was 53, 51.5, and 75.9% at 2, 5 months, and at the end of treatment, respectively. In all, 84.8% of cases were treated successfully (23.1% cured cases and 61.7% cases that completed treatment; almost achieving the WHO target of 85%). In all, 5.1% of cases failed treatment, 5.1% died, 2.4% were defaulters, and 2.6% of cases were transferred out. Conclusion The introduction of directly observed therapy short-course in Dakahlia governorate chest hospitals has led to a significant increase in treatment success (84.8%) and a decrease in default and failure rates.

Keywords

• Dakahlia
• directly observed therapy short-course
• tuberculosis