?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F11901%2F&rft.title=Community+Based+Treatment+of+Tuberculosis+in+Rural+Mozambique&rft.creator=DeGraaf%2C+Brigitte&rft.description=Abstract%0D%0ABackground%3A+Tuberculosis+(TB)+is+a+contagious+disease+commonly+occurring+in+the+lungs+and+is+spread+through+the+air+usually+by+coughing.++This+infectious+disease+is+particularly+dangerous+for+individuals+with+compromised+immune+systems%2C+like+those+with+HIV%2FAIDS.++Treatment+for+pulmonary+TB+infections+is+a+regimen+of+multiple+antibiotics+lasting+for+at+least+six+months.++%0D%0AObjectives%3A+Despite+complete+coverage+of+treatment+costs+for+TB+patients+by+the+Ministry+of+Health+in+Mozambique%2C+incidence+of+the+disease+remains+a+high+174+cases+per+100%2C000.++The+objective+of+this+project+is+to+evaluate+World+Relief%E2%80%99s+(WR)+community+based+TB+directly+observed+therapy+short-course+(DOTS)+treatment+program.++%0D%0AMethods%3A+Sixty-four+TB+treatment+program+volunteers+within+the+three+highest+populated+districts+of+the+province+of+Gaza+were+interviewed+and+data+were+collected+to+identify+accurate+numbers+of+current+community+based+DOTS+patients+per+district.++The+central+hospital+in+each+district+was+also+visited+to+directly+acquire+patient+data+and+interview+TB+nurses.++%0D%0AResults%3A+Currently+a+total+of+153+TB+patients+are+receiving+community-based+treatment+in+the+three+districts+visited.++On+average%2C+each+village+has+one+community+based+DOTS+volunteer%2C+and+each+volunteer+oversees+the+treatment+of+up+to+three+patients+at+a+time.+++These+volunteers+reported+positive+community+reception+to+TB+prevention+education+yet+felt+inadequate+with+the+community+based+DOTS+system+of+treatment+as+a+whole.++%0D%0AConclusions%3A+Based+on+the+data+collected+and+interviews+completed%2C+the+community+based+DOTS+program+was+effective+in+raising+community+awareness+of+TB+prevention%2C+as+well+as+educating+about+TB+as+an+infectious+disease+and+TB+treatment.++The+evaluation+also+concluded+that+the+program+lacked+proper+training+and+education+maintenance+for+the+volunteers+in+rural+villages.++%0D%0AImplications+for+global+health%3A+Much+potential+exists+for+the+community+based+DOTS+program+to+successfully+reduce+TB+incidence+in+Mozambique%2C+particularly+if+WR+is+able+to+implement+the+necessary+changes+and+improvements+in+volunteer+training+to+its+program+in+order+to+maximize+its+effectiveness+in+the+community.+++The+health+problem+of+TB+is+of+considerable+public+health+significance+because+of+the+highly+contagious+nature+of+the+bacteria.++Without+substantial+steps+taken+to+decrease+the+number+of+cases+particularly+in+populations+of+greater+susceptibility%2C+the+disease+will+only+spread+and+mortality+will+increase.++A+successful+decrease+in+incidence+of+TB+infections+in+Mozambique+would+lead+to+a+longer+average+life+span+and+increased+health+in+the+population+overall.%0D%0A&rft.date=2012-06-29&rft.type=University+of+Pittsburgh+ETD&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F11901%2F1%2FDeGraaf_Thesis_ETD_2012.pdf&rft.identifier=++DeGraaf%2C+Brigitte++(2012)+Community+Based+Treatment+of+Tuberculosis+in+Rural+Mozambique.++Master's+Thesis%2C+University+of+Pittsburgh.++++(Unpublished)++