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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

The MODS method for diagnosis of tuberculosis and multidrug resistant tuberculosis
Published on: August 11, 2008
Patients' Experience of Tuberculosis Treatment Using Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS): A Qualitative
Masoud Behzadifar1, Masoud Mirzaei2, Meysam Behzadifar3
1Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Department of Health Technology Assessment (HTA), Faculty of Health, University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IR Iran.
Background:
Despite effective diagnosis and treatment, prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) is still growing. The directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) strategy to treat TB was introduced by the World Health Organization more than a decade ago. Little is known about patients' experience of TB treatment, according to DOTS, in Iran.
Objectives:
This study aimed to understand the patients' experience of tuberculosis treatment according to DOTS in Iran.
Patients And Methods:
This study is a qualitative study, using content analysis to examine patients' experience of TB treatment and to understand their compliance during DOTS. In this study, a semi-structured interview with open questions was answered by 40 patients, who had a diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and improved during the course of their treatment. The method of sampling was purposive sample and the interview process lasted until data saturation.
Results:
Data analysis resulted in the extraction of six themes, which reflect the experiences of the study participants. The themes are: 1) individual factors; 2) change of the attitudes and beliefs of patients on TB treatment; 3) support terms of patients with tuberculosis; 4) the role of health care professionals; 5) social factors and 6) the financial burden.
Conclusions:
Successful completion of TB treatment requires an effective partnership between the patient and health care professionals, and a harmony between the cultural context, attitude of the patient, family support and health literacy. Future health policies should address these issues to improve patients' adherence to DOTS.
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