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Objectives: Evaluating the yearly distribution of Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) and DOT variations through years at registered tuberculosis (TB) patients.
Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyze the files of TB patients who registered Ankara 3rd TB dispensary between 01.01.2012- 12.31.2018. In 2012, Video Observed Therapy (VOT) was implemented at Ankara TB Dispensaries for the first time, because of this, our study consists of 2012-2018 data. During treatment; patients who had diagnosis other than TB were excluded. Cases who diagnosed TB after death were excluded from DOT data.
Results: In 7 years, 812 patients were registered. During treatment follow up, 38 patients who had diagnosis other than TB excluded from study; 774 cases included. Mean age was 47 (13-93). 51% were males and 49% were pulmonary TB. 15/774 who diagnosed TB after death, didn’t get any TB treatment. 759 patients’ files analyzed for DOT and only 2 of them treated without observation. During treatment, 78% (593) of cases were observed by health care workers (HCWs). Localization of HCWs and DOT type were: 63% at Family Health Centers, 23% VOT with TB Dispensary staff, 7% at TB Dispensary, 6% at other health care facilities and 1% HCW who visits patient at home Number and percentage of HCW-DOT, FHC-DOT, VOT by years, are shown respectively. In 2018, MoFSP support was started for native citizens. First rule of MoFSP support is getting the treatment under observation of TB Dispensary staff. In 2017 38% and in 2018 67% of TB patients who observed via VOT got this support.
Conclusion: In7 years, total percentage of HCW-DOT is high in our region. Although 2/3 of HCW-DOT were done at PHCs between 2012-2016; this percentage decreased in last two years. In recent years, VOT is preferred by our patients. Increased VOT percentage is related with both common smart cell phone usage and MoFSP support with devoted effort of our TB Dispensary staff.