251 |
AU |
: |
Hill JP & Ramachandran G |
TI |
: |
A simple scheme to improve compliance in patients taking
tuberculosis medication. |
SO |
: |
TROP DOCT 1992, 22, 161-163. |
DT |
: |
Per |
AB |
: |
Compliance with prescribed treatment remains a
major problem in the control of TB, worldwide. A simple method of
improving patient compliance with hospital-based treatment is described.
Eighty-two patients paid a deposit at the start of their treatment
which entitled them to cheaper drugs and was refundable on completion
of the prescribed course. Sixty-two percent of patients completed
the course compared with 23 percent of retrospective controls. A
direct relationship was found between the amount of deposit paid
and the rate of completion. Reasons why poor patients (who paid
a lower deposit) may default include lack of understanding of the
need for prolonged treatment due to inadequate education, poverty
or low-income, preventing travel to the hospital and/ or paying
for consultation and medication. Using a short regimen (2RHZ/4RH)
for those who have never had previous TB treatment (and are therefore,
unlikely to have resistance) and offering a cheaper regimen (2RHZ/10TH)
to poorer patients, provided three sputum samples are negative for
AFB at two months, would benefit even defaulters. It is recommended
that similar schemes be assessed elsewhere.
|
KEYWORDS: COMPLIANCE; UK. |