Concepedia

Publication | Closed Access

Course of action taken by smear negative chest symptomatics: A report from a rural area in South India

10

Citations

0

References

2006

Year

Aleyamma Thomas, P G Gopi, T Santha, K Jaggarajamma, Niruparani Charles, E Prabhakaran, Narayanan Parameswaran
NIRT Institutional Scholarship Repository (National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate adherence to diagnostic algorithm of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP)
\nand course of action taken by smear-negative chest symptomatics (CSs).
\nMethod: Interviewing smear-negative chest symptomatics.
\nResults: Of the 423 smear-negative CSs interviewed, 85 (20%) were not prescribed antibiotics and only 133 (39%)
\nreceived it for more than seven days. Of the 148 patients with persistence of symptoms, 83 (56%) returned for further
\ninvestigations and only 39% were X-rayed. Main reasons for not returning were: ‘not aware’ or ‘consulted another health
\nprovider.’
\nConclusion: Strict adherence to diagnostic algorithm and proper counselling of patients are important for diagnosing
\nsmear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases.