The World Health Organisation's (WHO) global tuberculosis programme in 1993 declared tuberculosis a global emergency and began promoting a management strategy called directly observed therapy short course (DOTS). By 2005, 187 countries had started implementing DOTS with 4.9 million cases of tuberculosis being treated using DOTS in that year alone.
Under the DOTS strategy, anti-tuberculosis medications are swallowed by patients under the supervision of a health worker (DOT) thereby ensuring that proper medications are given at proper intervals and at the right doses.
Also, DOTS increases the accuracy of diagnosis of tuberculosis by advocating sputum smear microscopy thereby reducing the spread of tuberculosis. Indigent patients are catered for under the DOTS programme as free medications are provided and the duration of illness is reduced. Ultimately, the social stigma associated with DOTS is reduced thereby encouraging symptomatic persons to present for medical care.
Cite:
Akaninyene Asuquo Otu, Is the directly observed therapy short course (DOTS) an effective strategy for tuberculosis control in a developing country?, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, Volume 3, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 227-231,
ISSN 2222-1808, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2222-1808(13)60045-6 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2222180813600456)
DOTS has 5 key components as identified by WHO:
Government commitment to sustained tuberculosis control activities.
Case detection by sputum smear microscopy among symptomatic patients.
Standardized treatment regimen of 6 to 8 months for at least all confirmed sputum smear positive cases, with DOTS for at least the initial 2 months.
A regular, uninterrupted supply of all essential anti-tuberculosis drugs.
A standardized recording and reporting system that allows assessment of treatment.
Cite:
Akaninyene Asuquo Otu, Is the directly observed therapy short course (DOTS) an effective strategy for tuberculosis control in a developing country?, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, Volume 3, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 227-231, ISSN 2222-1808, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2222-1808(13)60045-6. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2222180813600456)
