The retrospective study aims at identifying a “risk group” among patients treated at the DTC & six PHIs in Kolar district of Karnataka state in order to focus on them for motivation and defaulter actions to improve case-holding. Since there were differences in the number of defaults made by the First Timers (who defaulted for the first time during the first month of treatment) and Others (who defaulted during the subsequent months), an in-depth analysis was undertaken to understand the behaviour dynamics of these two groups.

There were 231 First Timers and 141 Others. The analysis revealed that the First Timers had inferior results for all the parameters of case-holding. Mean Defaults Rate was 0.9 for First Timers & 0.7 for Others; Patients Lost to Treatment were 83% & 61%; Treatment Completion Rates were 25% & 59% and Bacteriological Conversion was 58.5% & 76.9% respectively. Inconsistencies observed in the rapidity of defaulter actions taken suggested a possible lapse in taking defaulter actions. Thus, First Timers could become predictors of default: They constitute the important target group for focussing intensive efforts to improve case holding, which is expected to improve to the extent of 30%.