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Awareness Level of Health Professionals about DOTS  (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course).

Our organization, Health and Development Initiative-India conducted a survey in September 2001 to gauze the awareness level of health professionals of Punjab state of India about DOTS and to gain an insight into the process they follow while treating TB patients.

A questionnaire was prepared and thirty-three randomly selected health professional drawn from different sections of service delivery were requested to provide answers.
Following is the breakup of the background of the respondents:  

 

Educational background:

 

Work experience:

   
Following questions were put to the respondents:

      Have you heard of DOTS as a treatment modality for TB:

 

What does DOTS stand for?

 

In your opinion, which is the most, appropriate tool for diagnosing Pulmonary TB (PTB):

       

     In your practice what single factor determines choice of drug treatment regimen in a newly
         diagnosed case of PTB:

      

    In your opinion which is the best tool to monitor the progress of a case under treatment
        for PTB:

      

 

 Following are the clear-cut messages drawn from this survey:

 

33% respondents have not heard of DOTS as a treatment modality for treatment of Pulmonary TB.

Only 9%respondents know that DOTS stands for Directly Observed Treatment Short-course. 91% respondents do not even know full form of DOTS.

Only 42% respondents consider Sputum examination for AFB as an appropriate tool for diagnosis of PTB. 34% respondents consider X Ray examination of chest as an appropriate tool.

Only 17% respondents base the choice of the drug treatment regimen on result of Sputum Examination for AFB. None of the respondents consider it essential to determine the HIV status of their patient.

Only 23% respondents consider Sputum examination for AFB as best tool to monitor the progress of a case under treatment for PTB.