Directly observed treatment: strategy to tuberculosis control

Abstract

In 1991, the World Health Organization has recognized that tuberculosis pandemic was a common result of bad Health System Administration efforts, government careless, poorness, population growth and enhancing migration. WHO has proposed new directions to tuberculosis control through Direct Observed Treatment – Short course Therapy (DOTs). Brazilian Ministry of Health has made DOTs a priority in National Programs for Tuberculosis Control (NPTC) in order to achieve goals for cure and abandon rates and prevention for multi-drug resistant bacilli. DOTs results have been different across countries and regions within the same country all over the world, raising questions about the effectiveness of the supervision of the treatment. Studies focused on medicine administration reached results that have discouraged DOTs adoption. These results contradict the changes promoted by DOTs implementation as a whole Program for disease control. The objectives of Brazilian NPTC include expansion of DOTs program and offer HIV testing for every tuberculosis patient over age 15. This strategy is in accordance with WHO guidance for DOTs adoption despite its diverging results over the planet and shows the importance of the participation of government and society for the achievement of the goals proposed for Tuberculosis Control.