Cure rate of Tuberculosis patients using DOTS programme in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana.

Abstract

The WHO recognizing the growing importance of TB as a public health problem introduced a new framework for its effective control called the Directly Observe Treatment Short course (DOTS). The DOTS strategy is a patient-centered approach to providing support to tuberculosis patients by observing patients while they take their drugs, thus ensuring patients complete their treatment. A review of the DOTS programme in the Kumasi Metropolitan area for a period of five years (1999 – 2003) was undertaken using data available in the four major TB hospitals; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Manhyia Hospital, Suntreso Government Hospital and the Kumasi-South Hospital. The data from the various hospitals were categorized into the various treatment outcomes, and the number and percentages calculated. The total numbers of TB patients registered under DOTS in the four hospitals within the Kumasi Metropolis, over the period under review (1998 – 2003) were 4025. Out of this number, the successful rate was 57.99%, default rate 25.73% and failure rate 1.68%. Statistically there were no significant differences amongst the success rate, cure rate, completed rate, default rate and the failure rate amongst the different hospitals. However, there were statistically significant differences in the death rates recorded by the various hospitals.