A study on the perception of general practitioners of a locality in Kolkata regarding RNTCP and DOTS

Abstract

The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP), based on the internationally recommended directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) strategy, was initially implemented mainly through the network of healthcare facilities under the public health departments of the state governments. Studies have shown that the private sector is the first point of contact for more than half of the TB patients. In most countries with a significant burden of TB, DOTS implementation is limited largely to public sector services under the tuberculosis program. In reality, however, many patients with symptoms of TB, including the very poor, do seek and receive care from a wide variety of healthcare providers outside the network of the tuberculosis program and these providers do not always coordinate with the national program or apply to DOTS. In order to address this apparent weakness in global TB control, efforts have been under way within and outside the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Public-Private Mix (PPM) initiative. The obvious goal of developing PPM is to promote access to quality TB care worldwide. The RNTCP has recognized the Indian Medical Association (IMA) as a major partner in expanding PPM DOTS service in this country. Therefore, the contribution of the general practitioners for the control and management of tuberculosis must not be overlooked or neglected. To bring their method of treatment under the umbrella of RNTCP is the need of the hour. For this, a baseline data, to assess their knowledge and practice regarding RNTCP/DOTS is urgently required. With this background a study has been conducted to find out the perception of the general practitioners, of a locality in Kolkata, regarding RNTCP and DOTS.