Consultations of health service providers amongst patients of pulmonary tuberculosis from an urban area

• Main Author: Geeta S. Pardeshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Light House Polyclinic Mangalore 2008-11-01
• Series: Online Journal of Health & Allied Sciences
• Subjects: RNTCP; DOTS; Treatment seeking; Private health service providers
• Online Access: http://www.ojhas.org/issue27/2008-3-3.htm

Aims: To describe the number, types and reasons of consultations amongst patients of pulmonary tuberculosis from an urban area. Settings and Design Cross sectional study was conducted amongst new patients of pulmonary tuberculosis initiated on DOTS at District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC), Yavatmal from January to June 2006. Material and Methods: The data regarding consultations were collected along a time line. The reasons for consultations were studied by in-depth interviews. Statistical analysis: Logistic regression analysis and transcripts of interviews. Results and Conclusions A total of 55 patients were studied in whom median duration between first consultation to treatment initiation was 15 days. A majority of cases (87.27%) had first consulted a private practitioner. A total of 32 patients reported more than two consultations and 19 had consulted more than two private health service providers. Amongst the movements between consultations, a majority were from private to government. Only four patients had come to DTC without any prior consultation. Many patients came to government health service provider on their own when the symptomatic treatment prescribed by the private practitioners did not relieve their symptoms.