Pulmonary tuberculosis:Tretment seeking behaviour and complience to treatment among patients and practice in relation to diagnosis and treatment among physiscians in the district of Gampaha.

Abstract

Objective of the study in to determine the tretment seeking and anti-TB drug collecting behaviour of new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged 15 years or more who are treted at goverment medical institutions in the district of Gampaha.An early tretment seeking behaviour was present among the patients while multiple constitutions prior to diagnosis highlight an existence of delay in diagnosis.The deaulter rate was 20.3 and 71 of the toatal defaulters,defaulted after the commencement of ambulatory tretment.Median duration of defaulting was 59 days.Smoking and not living with family members were significantly associated with defaulting.Lack of awarness regarding specifications relate to symptoms suggestive of PTB and confimatory diagnostic tests as well as under prescription of anti-TB therapy in terms of both dosage and duration of tretment was the deficiencies intified.Reduction of defauting has to be targeted through finding reasons for educating the patients and their relations and strenthening the available defaulter tracing mechanism.Also it is recommended that programmes have to be conducted to upgrade the knowledge of the service providers with a view to improve the case findings in terms of quality and quantity.