|
Reasons for the delay in the initiation of treatment and initial default among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Ahmedabad corporation area
A Bhagyalaxmi1, Shikha Jain2, Parimal Patel3, Divya Barot4
1 Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
3 Tutor, Department of Community Medicine, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Dr. M.K. Shah Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Shikha Jain
Department of Community Medicine, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.IJPH_26_19
|
|
The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has become a significant health problem in India. Delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation are frequently observed among patients with DR-TB, resulting in an increased risk of disease complications and high mortality and pretreatment lost to follow-up rates. To understand the factors associated with delays between the diagnosis and treatment, the study was carried out in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Area. A total of 177 DR-TB patients diagnosed in the year 2014 who had a delay in the initiation of treatment, and 23 initial defaulters were studied using a structured questionnaire. Fifty-four DOTS providers were also interviewed. Of 177 patients, 62.15% initiated treatment between 7 and 15 days and nearly 12% of them started the treatment after a month. The median duration of delay was 12 days (range: 8–144 days and interquartile range: 9–20 days). The most common reason for the delay in the initiation and initial default was the social and personal factors (48.80%), and in 34 (20%) of the patients, the delay was attributed to the effect of the previous treatment.
|
