DOTS strategy and community participation: an experience in the Ecuadorian Andes

N Romero-Sandoval; O Flores-Carrera; M A Molina; M Jácome; A Navarro; M Martin

DOTS strategy and community participation: an experience in the Ecuadorian Andes

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2009 Dec;13(12):1569-71.

Authors

N Romero-Sandoval¹, O Flores-Carrera, M A Molina, M Jácome, A Navarro, M Martin

Affiliation

¹ Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador. nromeros@puce.edu.ec

PMID: 19919780

Abstract

Setting: The Chine community in Angamarca parish, Cotopaxi Province, in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Objective: To relate the DOTS strategy to the world view of the indigenous community in the diagnosis and treatment of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients.

Design: Cross-sectional study involving all inhabitants of Chine.

Results: Aspects of the community's world view were considered in the community-based application of DOTS. A cure rate of 100% was attained, with 0% defaulting from treatment.

Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that involving the world view of the community in the management of tuberculosis has several advantages.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antitubercular Agents / administration & dosage
Communicable Disease Control / methods
Cross-Sectional Studies
Directly Observed Therapy / methods*
Ecuador / epidemiology
Humans
Indians, South American*
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Sputum / microbiology
Treatment Outcome
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / epidemiology

Substances

Antitubercular Agents