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.