Effect of World Health Organization Module-based Training on Performance of Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course Providers in Counseling of People with Tuberculosis

Background: Poor counseling by healthcare providers contributes to dissatisfaction and poor treatment adherence among people with tuberculosis (TB). Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of counseling training on directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) provider performance and patient outcomes in TB care. Materials and Methods: A community-based intervention study was conducted in two TB units of Jodhpur, with one receiving the World Health Organization (WHO)-based counseling training and the other serving as a control. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and counseling skills of healthcare workers, patient satisfaction, and medication adherence were assessed pre- and postintervention. Results: Posttraining, healthcare workers in the intervention unit showed significant improvement in KAP and counseling skills compared to baseline and control units ( P < 0.001). Attitude scores improved marginally. Patient satisfaction and medication adherence showed modest improvement, but the difference-in-difference analysis showed no statistically significant change. Conclusion: WHO module-based training improves DOTS provider counseling, but patient outcomes need broader system and community support.