Year: 2010
Type: other
Abstract: SettingDOTS coverage is 100% in Uzbekistan since 2005.The treatment success rate has remained around 80% for the last 4 years.Surveys from the capital Tashkent and from western Uzbekistan showed high levels of primary multi drug resistance. ObjectiveTo assess treatment regimens prescribed to new cases of tuberculosis (TB), including prescription of additional non-TB drugs and cost implications for the patient. DesignWe randomly sampled 30 clusters of 7 new TB patients.Patients enrolled were interviewed and their medical records were reviewed. ResultsIn general, treatment regimens prescribed were correct, dosages were high rather than low.Second line anti-TB drugs were rarely prescribed.In addition to anti-TB drugs, patients were prescribed on average 7-8 non-TB drugs.The rationale for prescribing these non-TB drugs was questionable.Patients incurred substantial costs when buying these drugs of which some are not without risk. ConclusionAnti TB drug prescription to new TB patients is adequate, the practice of prescribing additional non-TB drugs needs to be reconsidered.
Author: Epco Hasker
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2097519749