Patient Provider Interaction: Important Aspect of Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence in E Ward of Mumbai Municipal Corporation

Background: Treatment non-adherence is a major challenge before tuberculosis (TB) control activities. Treatment adherence is affected by various factors that can be patient related, provider related or system related. Objective: To study patient provider interaction and its effect on treatment adherence among new sputum smear pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated at Directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) centres run by government. Materials and Methods: New smear positive pulmonary TB patients initiated on category I regimen of DOTS in first two quarters of a calendar year at 24 DOTS centres and completed at least intensive phase (N = 118) in E-ward of Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) were interviewed using pretested semi-structured schedule, which was designed to elicit socio-demographic factors and patient provider interaction. Treatment cards were screened for treatment adherence after any final outcome as per RNTCP guidelines. Results: Treatment adherent patients were 61% (72/118) and 39% (46/118) were treatment non-adherent. Amomg 18.6% ( 22/118) patients PPI was satisfactory to full extent, while among 28.8% (34/118) PPI was unsatisfactory. Satisfactory PPI was associated with treatment adherence (p<O.0001, OR= 3.238, 95%CI=1.746-6.005).