Impact of Treatment Supporters on the Treatment Outcomes of Drug Resistant-Tuberculosis Patients

Authors

  • Ayesha Jamil Department of Pharmacology, Khyber Girls Medical College, Peshawar - Pakistan
  • Nighat Aziz Department of Pharmacology, Gomal medical college, Dera Ismail Khan - Pakistan
  • Ikram Zada Department of Gastroenterology, F.G Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad - Pakistan
  • Ali Ghias Tarar District Head Quarter Hospital, Mandi Bahaudin - Pakistan
  • Jawad Hussain Qamber Department of Physiology, Sahara Medical College, Narowal - Pakistan
  • Muhammad Usman Sheikh Department of Community Medicine, Avicenna Medical College, Lahore - Pakistan

Keywords:

Pulmonary Diseases, DR-TB, Treatment Supporters

Abstract

Background:Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) presents significant challenges to treatment success, necessitating effective support systems. Objective: To explore the impact of treatment supporters on the outcomes of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 300 DR-TB patients, categorized by their treatment supporters, i.e. family members, and community health workers. Treatment outcomes were analyzed, including cure rates, treatment completion, mortality, treatment failure, and loss to follow-up. All data were entered into SPSS for final analysis. Results:Of 300 treatment supporters, 63.7% were female, mostly aged 31-40. Treatment success was higher (44.3%) with family members as supporters, compared to 4.4% with non-family supporters. Among 265 drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients studied, 62.26% were male, and the most affected age group was 21-40 years (54.72%). Between 2017 and 2021, 41.5% completed treatment, 10.19% were cured, 18.87% died, and 11.7% each faced treatment failure or were lost to follow-up. Conclusion:This study highlights the critical role of treatment supporters in enhancing adherence and improving recovery rates for DR-TB patients. The results underscore the importance of integrating effective treatment support programs into DR-TB management strategies. By optimizing the roles of various treatment supporters and addressing their challenges, healthcare systems can improve treatment success and contribute to broader public health efforts against tuberculosis.

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Published

2023-06-02

How to Cite

Jamil, A., Aziz, N., Zada, I., Tarar, A. G., Qamber, J. H., & Sheikh, M. U. (2023). Impact of Treatment Supporters on the Treatment Outcomes of Drug Resistant-Tuberculosis Patients. Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine, 29(2), 237–242. Retrieved from https://pjcm.net/index.php/pjcm/article/view/903

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2023 Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine

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