A Descriptive Study on Use of Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) Tablets and Role of DOT in TB Treatment

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem worldwide and Bangladesh is one of the high burden countries with high incidence and prevalence rates. Fixed dose combinations (FDC) is recommended for any type of TB cases in order for the patient to completely get cure from the disease. The role of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) is an important factor to ensure the proper dosage and time of treatment. In order to determine the use of FDC tablets for TB treatment and the role of DOT for effective tuberculosis control program, a descriptive study was carried out in Kanaighat Upazilla of Sylhet, Bangladesh. After taking written consent, a total of 50 TB patients, registered in Kanaighat health complex, were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Detail information regarding the patients` course of treatment were recorded from their treatment cards preserved in the health complex. In-depth data analysis were done using the software SPSS, version 19. In our study, most of the patients (34%) infected with tuberculosis were in between 50-65 years. Majority of the cases were smear positive (54%), whereas 36% cases were smear negative. All patients in our study were treated with Category 1 and DOT followed. The results have shown that the sputum conversion rate was higher among those who had taken the drugs following DOT (75%). About 86% of all the patients enrolled in our study had followed their treatment regimen under DOT. About 90.5% of the patients with smear positive cases were declared as cured after completion of their treatment course. The use of FDC has benefited the patients when the dosage regimen of these tablets were prescribed according to weight and consumed under supervision of a DOT provider. The result of this study has shown that a very good outcome was obtained when patients get treated with anti-TB drugs as FDC and the need for DOT to improve the outcome of the patient