title: Directly observed short course therapy for tuberculosis--a preliminary report of a three-year experience in a teaching hospital.
abstract: METHODS
  The Chest Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria is a referral center for tuberculosis patients in the region. Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) has been in operation in the center since 1996.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the outcome of patients on DOTS with the aim of determining factors that may influence compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tuberculosis patients were placed on different treatment regimens according to the recommendation of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) and the Nigerian Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP). The results were recorded and evaluated periodically by the clinic staff under central supervision. The outcome of treatment over a three-year period (1996-1999) was reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five-hundred-seventy-one patients were treated during this period. Cure/treatment completed rate was 86.1%, and compliance rate was 93.8%. Age, sex category of treatment, and distance from hospital had no significant influence on drug compliance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DOTS is an effective means of administering anti-TB drugs. Efforts should be channeled towards developing strategies for implementing DOTS in a more efficient way.
authors.affiliation: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-lfe, Osun State, Nigeria. gerhabor@oauife.edu.ng
authors.forename: Gregory E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Erhabor
authors.forename: Olufemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adewole
authors.forename: Adewale O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Adisa
authors.forename: Olufadeke A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Olajolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents