title: Quality of tuberculosis care in six health facilities of Afar Region, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality tuberculosis care plays an important role in the status of tuberculosis (TB) control, treatment completion and adherence. Nonetheless, very little is known about the quality of TB care in public health facilities in Ethiopia. In this study we assessed the quality of TB care delivery in Afar Region of Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross sectional health institution based survey with both semi-structured and structured questionnaires was employed. A mix of complementary techniques was administered Data were collected between 5th February and 10th March 2007 from six health institutions. Records were reviewed for 270 patients, exit interviews were made for 209 patients, six providers were interviewed & 49 patients were observed Data was collected by trained nurses and analyzed using SPSS 11.0 statistical software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study had showed that delivery of materials, drugs and supplies for tuberculosis control activities were fairly good. Staffing qualities were poor and patterns of supervision were weak. A relatively higher proportion of patients were dissatisfied with the appropriateness and adequacy of working hours (63.6%) and waiting time (70.3%). Statistically significant correlation was observed between process quality and output quality (clients' satisfaction) parameters (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continues quality improvement mechanisms to improve the different aspects of the programme and adherence to the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program guideline could be important interventions to enhance the quality of care delivery. An expanded community-based study to better guide quality DOTS program in pastoralist communities is crucial.
authors.affiliation: I-TECH Ethiopia, Semera, Afar.
authors.forename: Anteneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girma
authors.forename: Damen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: H/Mariam
authors.forename: Kebede
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deribe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents