title: Utilization of RNTCP services in rural areas of Bellary District, Karnataka, by gender, age and distance from health centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge on utilization pattern of RNTCP shall provide important inputs towards its strengthening in rural areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out the utilization of RNTCP services by age, sex and distance from residence to designated microscopy centres and treating health centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in Sandur TU of Bellary District, Karnataka. Information on age, sex and residence of persons with pulmonary symptoms and detected new sputum smear positive cases during third quarter 2003 to second quarter 2004; and their treatment outcome was obtained from the respective RNTCP records. Age and sex distribution of out-patients was collected from OPD registers of one randomly selected DMC and its PHCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A lesser number of males accessed the health care services. However, larger number of males with pulmonary symptoms and new sputum smear positive cases utilized RNTCP services than females in the ratio of 1.6:1 and 2.5:1 respectively. This was due to higher prevalence of persons with pulmonary symptoms and sputum positivity rate among males. Sputum positivity rates were also lower among the elderly. Male symptomatics and cases were on an average older than females. About 70% symptomatics and 53% cases resided at more than four kilometers from the respective DMCs and treating health centres. Treatment outcome was poorer among males with higher proportion of initial defaulters and among those residing at more than 20 kms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is need to make health services available to the male working population at convenient hours and to be more vigilant to screen persons with pulmonary symptoms among the elderly. Collection of sputum specimen from eligible persons may be undertaken at PHCs which may later be transported to DMC. Supervision and motivation of treatment for male TB cases and those residing more than 20 kms from the treating health centres requires to be strengthened.
authors.affiliation: National Tuberculosis Institute, Avalon, No. 8, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560001.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Chadha
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Venkatachalappa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult