Implementing tuberculosis control programmes in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
This paper discusses the impact of pre-payment versus free drug therapy on case-finding and treatment of tuberculosis patients. While the Kaduna State tuberculosis pilot project introduced fees mainly as a cost-recovery measure, evaluation of several cohorts revealed that while it led to a reduction in the proportion of diagnosed smear-positive patients that could afford treatment, it markedly enhanced compliance in those willing to pay. Ways to balance this trade-off are suggested.
Awofeso
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School of Health Services Management, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005252:Fees, Pharmaceutical; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017061:Prepaid Health Plans; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents