Alcohol Abuse: A Cause of Default in Tuberculosis Treatment in Rajkot
Author(s): Daxini Arvind, Pandey Arvind, Vasava Lilavati
Abstract
Background: Revised National Tuberculosis Treatment Programme was implemented along with Directly Observed Treatment Short Course to improve cure rate or tuberculosis in India. Alcoholism like social factor was the major to decrease the adherence of the treatment.
Aims: This study was conducted to estimate the effect of alcoholism in the default of tuberculosis treatment.
Material and Method: 150 cases (TB treatment Defaulter) and 150 controls (Who have completed whole course of treatment) from the Rajkot district of Gujarat were enrolled and interviewed. Alcoholics were identified by standard pre-structured questioner. Risk of treatment default was calculated in alcoholics.
Results: Odd ratio for alcoholism between cases and control was 4.75 (2.26- 9.95); which indicates in alcoholic patients (under the tuberculosis treatment) have 375% higher risk of being default than that of non-alcoholic patients.
Conclusion: Alcoholic tuberculosis patients should be considered as a high risk patients and managed accordingly to decrease the default rate of tuberculosis treatment.
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