12-Year Treatment Outcomes of Tuberculosis Patients: A Full-Scale Non-Family DOT Model in Thailand.

A descriptive study of a non-family DOT (Directly-Observed Treatment) model in the Muang District of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in Thailand was conducted, with the aim of reviewing the 12- year treatment outcomes under the full-scale non-family DOT model, in order to demonstrate the possibility and feasibility of DOT in Thailand. Four hundred and fifty four new smear-positive pulmonary TB patients, registered during the fiscal year 2001 - 2012, were evaluated for treatment outcomes. The overall cure rate and treatment success were 81.1 and 84.0 %, respectively. The proportion of the TB patients under the model that received DOT by health staff was as high as 95.0 %, even in the urban setting. We have concluded that a non-family DOT service for new smear-positive TB patients is possible and feasible in Thailand, even in an urban setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]