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AU |
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Sharma SK, Patodi RK, Sharma PK & Mittal MC |
TI |
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A study of default in drug intake by patients of pulmonary
tuberculosis in Indore.(MP). |
SO |
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INDIAN J PREV & SOC MED 1979, 10, 216-221. |
DT |
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Per |
AB |
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To examine the problem of default in drug intake,
a study of 320 patients with pulmonary TB and who were taking treatment
at home from the domiciliary section of the TB Clinic in Indore,
(Jan. 1969 - June 1970), was undertaken. Of 320 patients, 182 (56.2%)
were defaulters. Sixty-six of these defaulters could not be studied
for various reasons. Age and gender did not affect drug default
while socio-economic factors such as caste, literacy status, social
status and family system proved highly significant to default behaviour.
Default was common in the joint family system, perhaps, due to lack
of individual care when many members shared a common economy. Many
defaults were due to family events, typically, births, deaths and
marriages. Other important reasons for default were the patients
feeling of having got well, toxicity of drug and carelessness, ignorance,
financial difficulty and non-availability of drugs in TB Clinic.
Suggestions to overcome the default problem include improving the
general standard of living, eliminating poverty, illiteracy and
backwardness, increasing patients awareness of the gravity
of the disease and the need to take regular treatment, providing
facilities for patients to continue domiciliary treatment under
the supervision of the nearest medical center after initial check-up
at the District TB Clinic, to avoid a long journey and expenses.
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KEYWORDS: DEFAULT; SOCIO-ECONOMICS; INDIA. |