The Effectiveness of Health Facility-based and Community-based Care for Tuberculosis

Patients received daily tuberculosis care in public health facilities by trained health worker during the first 8 weeks followed by self-treatment for the remaining 6 months. Patients were expected to visit public health facility every month for follow up. Supervisory support was given to TB focal persons by the respective district TB coordinators on a monthly basis. Anti-TB drugs were delivered to health institutions on a quarterly basis by district TB coordinators during supervision

Patients had daily TB care including observation of treatment by the CHWs in their villages for the second month. Thereafter, treatment was self-administered with a monthly follow up visit to a CHW home for the remaining 6 months. Technical support and anti-TB drugs were given to CHWs by the respective public health facility TB health worker every fortnight.

Patients took their medication at home for seven months after one month of daily care in public health facilities by TB health workers. They were taught by the TB health worker to collect their anti-TB drugs fortnightly and report missed daily doses. Follow up assessment and continued support was made by TB health worker on a monthly basis in their nearby health facility.