To evaluate the performance of DOTS provider in the field practice area of PHC, Farukhnagar, Gurugram, Haryana.

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a worldwide public health problem despite the fact that the causative organism was discovered more than 100 years ago and highly effective drugs and vaccine are available making tuberculosis a preventable and curable disease. Despite the fact that TB is a treatable disease, it has assumed epidemic proportions globally¹⁰. M. tuberculosis has existed throughout history. Around one-third population of the world is suffering from infection with tuberculosis bacillus, and each year eight million people develop tuberculosis disease which annually kills 1.8 million worldwide. Approximately 80% of TB cases are found in 23 countries; the highest incidence rates are found in Africa and South-East Asia¹¹. In pulmonary cases, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is mainly lodges itself at the apex area of upper lobe as it is high oxygen demanding highly aerobic organism. Humans are the only known reservoirs of M. tuberculosis. It may affect any system of the body.