title: Does the type of treatment supporter influence tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Zimbabwe?
abstract: Zimbabwe National Tuberculosis Guidelines advise that direct observation of anti-tuberculosis treatment (DOT) can be provided by a family member/relative as a last resort. In 2011, in Nkayi District, of 763 registered tuberculosis (TB) patients, 59 (8%) received health facility-based DOT, 392 (51%) received DOT from a trained community worker and 306 (40%) from a family member/relative. There were no differences in TB treatment outcomes between the three DOT groups, apart from a higher frequency rate of 'no reported outcomes' for those receiving family-based DOT. Family members should be trained to use a suitable DOT support package.
authors.affiliation: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mlilo
authors.affiliation: National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sandy
authors.affiliation: The Union, Paris, France ; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Harries
authors.affiliation: The Union, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: A M V
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Matabeleland, North Province, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Masuka
authors.affiliation: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nyathi
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, The Union, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edginton
authors.affiliation: Médecins Sans Frontières-Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Isaakidis
authors.affiliation: Médecins Sans Frontières-Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.affiliation: National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Siziba
keywords: DOT; Zimbabwe; operational research; treatment outcomes; treatment supporter; tuberculosis