The feasibility of improving adherence to and outcome of treatment among smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients by involving traditional birth attendants (Dais) in administering anti-tuberculosis drugs was earlier studied and 86.9% were reported to be cured, 5.72% had died and 7.38% had remained sputum positive, at the end of 6 months. The present study reports the status of those patients at the end of 2 years. Of the 288 patients eligible for follow up, 283 could be contacted through home visits and interviewed for the presence of symptoms and further treatment taken; if dead, the cause of death was ascertained from relatives. Two sputum specimens were also collected from the contacted patients for microscopy, culture and drug sensitivity tests. At the end of 2 years, 79.6% had remained relapse free 7.42% had relapsed and 3.53% remained sputum positive (chronic cases) while 8.5% had died. Of the 251 patients interviewed, 131 still had chest symptoms, 2 years after treatment, but only 24 of them had bacteriologically positive disease. The remaining 7 sputum positive cases were either having non suggestive symptoms or no symptoms.

In view of the above findings, it is considered that DOTS delivered through Dais is feasible