Text in English with questionnaire in Amharic / Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the tuberculosis directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) strategy with respect to patient centeredness and satisfaction, and propose a model in support of the DOTS strategy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method: The study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using a mixed-method approach. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 601 randomly selected TB patients who were on TB treatment followup in 30 health facilities.Three focus group discussions were conducted with 23 TB experts purposefully selected from 10 sub-city health offices and health bureau. Moreover, telephonic interviews were conducted with 25 defaulted TB patients who had been attending TB treatment in the health facilities. The quantitative data were described using mean, median, percentage and frequencies. Logistic regression and exploratory factor analysis were used to extract associated factors using SPSS version 21 software. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. Deductive and inductive reasoning was used to propose a descriptive model with substantiating literatures. Findings: Of the 601 TB patients included, 40% of them perceived they had not received a patient-centred TB care (PC-TB care) with DOTS strategy. Gender (AOR=0.45, 95%CI 0.3, 0.7), good communication (AOR=3.2, 95%CI 1.6, 6.1), treatment supporter (AOR=3.4, 95%CI 2.1, 5.5) were associated with the perceived PC-TB care. Thirty-seven percent of TB patients were following their TB treatment with feeling of dissatisfaction with DOTS strategy. Gender (AOR=2.2; 95%CI 1.3, 3.57), place of residence (AOR=3.4; 95%CI 1.6, 7.6), presence of symptoms (AOR=0.6, 95%CI 0.40, 0.94) and treatment-supporter (AOR=4.3, 95%CI 2.7, 6.8) were associated with satisfaction of TB patients. TB experts and defaulted TB patients pointed out that DOTS strategy is not providing comprehensive PC-TB care except the provision of facility choice where to follow during initiation of the treatment. DOTS delivery system inflexibility, loose integration, HCPs’ characteristic, communication skill and motivation and the community awareness were explored factor with patient centeredness of DOTS. DOTS delivery system, incompatible of diagnosis and patient beliefs were the identified categories to default. The proposed PC-TB care model core constructs are patient, community, health care providers, health care organisation and TB care delivery system. The core constructs are directed by policy and monitoring and evaluation components. Conclusion: DOTS strategy is limited to provide fully integrated PC-TB care and did not provide full satisfaction to TB patients. Therefore, a support that makes the TB care patient-centred are important and the proposed PC-TB care model needs to be tested, practiced and evaluated for its performance toward increments of patient centeredness of TB care. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to describe the factors contributing to high default of DOTS implementation in the Kwaebibrim district of Ghana. A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted to determine personal, health service, community and treatment factors contributing to high default of DOTS implementation in the district. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling was done. The sample comprised of one hundred and thirty TB patients who were on DOTS implementation at the district chest clinic. The study highlighted TB patients’ knowledge about TB, socio-economic characteristics, organisation of care as well as community perceptions about the disease. The findings revealed that default to treatment is a complex behavioural issue involving multiple factors, an interaction of personal, social and health care factors as well as side effects of medication and duration of treatment. It is therefore recommended that interventions to prevent default of DOTS implementation should be designed with these factors in mind.

The study aimed to assess factors affecting the uptake of community-based Tuberculosis care (CTBC) as experienced by patients in Lobatse in order to make recommendations to enhance the uptake of CBTC in this area. A cross-sectional study was conducted, using structured interviews amongst 101 TB patients in Lobatse who registered for directly observed treatment (DOT) for TB in the GOB’s health facilities from January 2011 to August 2013. The SPSS (version 21) was used to analyse the data. Univariate logistic regression models were used. Participation in CTBC was an outcome. The main predictors for participation in CBTC included, knowledge and attitudes towards CTBC (p=0.0003), perceived barriers and enablers towards this programme (p=0.0279), and patient satisfaction with this programme (p=0.0315). The research findings pertain to TB services in Lobatse, because the study was conducted in government health facilities implementing the Botswana National Tuberculosis Programme (BNTP) CTBC guidelines only in Lobatse / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of this study was to describe the factors contributing to high default of DOTS implementation in the Kwaebibrim district of Ghana. A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted to determine personal, health service, community and treatment factors contributing to high default of DOTS implementation in the district. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling was done. The sample comprised of one hundred and thirty TB patients who were on DOTS implementation at the district chest clinic. The study highlighted TB patients’ knowledge about TB, socio-economic characteristics, organisation of care as well as community perceptions about the disease. The findings revealed that default to treatment is a complex behavioural issue involving multiple factors, an interaction of personal, social and health care factors as well as side effects of medication and duration of treatment. It is therefore recommended that interventions to prevent default of DOTS implementation should be designed with these factors in mind.

The study aimed to assess factors affecting the uptake of community-based Tuberculosis care (CTBC) as experienced by patients in Lobatse in order to make recommendations to enhance the uptake of CBTC in this area. A cross-sectional study was conducted, using structured interviews amongst 101 TB patients in Lobatse who registered for directly observed treatment (DOT) for TB in the GOB’s health facilities from January 2011 to August 2013. The SPSS (version 21) was used to analyse the data. Univariate logistic regression models were used. Participation in CTBC was an outcome. The main predictors for participation in CBTC included, knowledge and attitudes towards CTBC (p=0.0003), perceived barriers and enablers towards this programme (p=0.0279), and patient satisfaction with this programme (p=0.0315). The research findings pertain to TB services in Lobatse, because the study was conducted in government health facilities implementing the Botswana National Tuberculosis Programme (BNTP) CTBC guidelines only in Lobatse / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

O estudo teve como foco a análise do envolvimento de gestores (secretários) municipais e equipes de saúde da atenção básica com as ações de controle da tuberculose (TB) em nove municípios prioritários do Estado de São Paulo, a partir da percepção dos coordenadores do Programa de Controle da TB. Utilizou-se como referencial teórico o modelo proposto pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (2003) baseado na integração dos componentes estruturais (Macro, Meso e Micro) do sistema de saúde para a organização da atenção às condições crônicas, dentre elas a TB. Trata-se de uma pesquisa que utilizou a abordagem qualitativa, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada e analisados através da técnica de análise de conteúdo-modalidade temática. A codificação dos depoimentos resultou em duas Unidades Temáticas Centrais: \"O controle da Tuberculose na agenda municipal de saúde: uma prioridade política?\" e \"A incorporação das ações de controle da TB na Atenção Básica à Saúde\". A primeira Unidade Temática apontou o desinteresse pelas políticas e estratégias de controle da TB, a discordância com a prática do Tratamento Supervisionado, a presença de outras prioridades de saúde com caráter emergencial e o enfoque na implantação e expansão de equipes de saúde da família pela gestão municipal como elementos que dificultam a valorização da TB na agenda de saúde e a disponibilização de recursos essenciais para seu controle. Na segunda Unidade Temática identificou-se que a falta de recursos humanos, a inadequada qualificação dos profissionais e a visão centralizada e fragmentada da organização das ações de controle da doença no sistema de saúde representam as principais barreiras para a incorporação da TB no âmbito da atenção básica. Considera-se que a construção de um sistema municipal de saúde mais responsável e com ampla participação da atenção básica no efetivo controle da TB exige um padrão de gestão comprometido com a doença e com as estratégias difundidas para seu controle como o DOTS; a organização de uma rede de serviços integrada, resolutiva e humanizada e a elaboração/implementação de uma política de recursos humanos capaz de garantir formação e capacitação contínua das equipes de saúde. / The aim of this study was to explore the involvement of municipal health managers (Health Secretaries) and basic health attention teams with actions for tuberculosis (TB) control in nine priority cities in São Paulo, from the viewpoint of the TB Control Program coordinators. Theoretical references were based on the model proposed by the World Health Organization (2003), which consists of the integration of health system structural elements (Macro, Meso, and Micro) for the organization of services targeting chronic conditions, among which is TB. This study involves the use of a qualitative approach and data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed by means of theme unit content analysis techniques. Two major theme units stood out after testimonials were encoded: \"Tuberculosis control in the municipal health agenda: Is it a priority?\" and \"The incorporation of TB control actions into basic Health services\". The first theme unit identified the following, as elements that hinder the inclusion of TB in the health agenda and allocation of essential financial resources for its control: 1) a lack of interest in strategies and policies for TB control; 2) disagreement on Supervised Treatment practice; 3) other existing health priorities, and 4) the Health Secretary\'s focus on implementing and expanding the Family Health Program actions and teams. The second theme unit showed that the lack of human resources, inadequate professional capacity building, and a centralized and fragmented understanding about organizing the disease control actions within the health system represent barriers that need to be overcome in order to include TB into the Basic Health Services. The conclusion is that setting up a more responsible municipal health system and making basic health attention providers more participatory in an effective control of TB requires a kind of management that is concerned with the disease and the strategies proposed for its control, such as DOTS. Furthermore, it is mandatory to organize an integrated, problem-solving, and human service network as well as design and implement a human resources policy that will ensure continuing education and capacity building targeting health teams.

Στις μέρες μας, οι αυξανόμενες απαιτήσεις για υπηρεσίες υψηλού φασματικού εύρους ζώνης επιβάλλουν την ανάπτυξη νέων τεχνολογιών στο σχεδιασμό των δικτύων νέας γενιάς, ικανές να προσφέρουν α) χαμηλό κόστος κατά το σχεδιασμό του συστήματος, β) μεγάλη απόσταση μετάδοσης, γ) πολλοί χρήστες και δ) υψηλό εύρος ζώνης στην πλευρά του χρήστη για την παροχή των νέων υπηρεσιών. Ωστόσο, τα οπτικά δίκτυα λόγω των αναλογικών χαρακτηριστικών των οπτικών σημάτων τους, υποφέρουν από γραμμικές και μη γραμμικές παραμορφώσεις. Αυτές οι παραμορφώσεις επηρεάζουν άμεσα την απόδοση των συστημάτων και η επίδραση τους αυξάνει με την αύξηση του ρυθμού μετάδοσης. Παραδοσιακά χρησιμοποιούνται οπτικοί τρόποι για την εξομάλυνση των παραμορφώσεων. Ωστόσο, η ραγδαία ανάπτυξη στον τομέα των ηλεκτρονικών αναδεικνύει την ηλεκτρονική εξομάλυνση των παραμορφώσεων ως μία ευέλικτη, χαμηλού κόστους ολοκληρωμένη και βιώσιμη λύση που αποφεύγει τις επιπρόσθετες οπτικές απώλειες. Σκοπός της διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η εξομάλυνση με αποδοτικό τρόπο των πιο σημαντικών παραμορφώσεων (χρωματική διασπορά, αυτοδιαμόρφωση φάσης και φαινόμενο αλληλουχίας φίλτρων) που δημιουργούνται στα οπτικά δίκτυα και ειδικότερα στα μητροπολιτικά δίκτυα, στα δίκτυα πρόσβασης, και στα παθητικά δίκτυα. Από σχεδιαστικής πλευράς του συστήματος, αυτή η διατριβή προτείνει τη βέλτιστη χρησιμοποίηση λύσεων χαμηλού κόστους, ικανές να επεκτείνουν (σε ρυθμό μετάδοσης και απόσταση) την χρησιμοποίησή τους σε οπτικά δίκτυα νέας γενιάς. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, η απόδοση της ηλεκτρονικής αντιστάθμισης μελετάται για συστήματα που χρησιμοποιούν χαμηλού κόστους, συμβατικούς πομπούς laser άμεσης διαμόρφωσης (DML), που οδηγούνται στα 10 Gb/s. Σκοπός σε αυτήν την περίπτωση είναι η αύξηση της απόστασης και του ρυθμού μετάδοσης που μπορεί να επιτευχθεί, εξομαλύνοντας τις παραμορφώσεις που δημιουργούνται εξαιτίας των χαρακτηριστικών των πομπών και αυτών που δημιουργούνται κατά τη μετάδοση του σήματος (χρωματική διασπορά, αυτοδιαμόρφωση φάσης και φαινόμενο αλληλουχίας φίλτρων) με την βέλτιστη χρησιμοποίηση ηλεκτρονικού εξισωτή. Επιπλέον, όσον αφορά τα παθητικά δίκτυα πρόσβασης νέας γενιάς, μελετάται μία αποδοτική και χρήσιμη τεχνική, χρησιμοποιώντας τα πλεονεκτήματα της χρήσης του ηλεκτρονικού εξισωτή στην πλευρά του δέκτη (OLT). Η πειραματική μελέτη εστιάζει στα παθητικά οπτικά δίκτυα (PON) στα 10 Gb/s χρησιμοποιώντας χαμηλού κόστους, χαμηλού εύρους ζώνης RSOA στην πλευρά του χρήστη (ONU), και ηλεκτρονικό εξισωτή στην πλευρά του δέκτη (OLT). Αυτή η τεχνική προσφέρει την απαιτούμενη ευελιξία για την προσαρμογή στις καινούργιες συνθήκες του συστήματος και την υλοποίηση των απαιτήσεων (πολύ μεγάλες αποστάσεις μετάδοσης, αριθμό χρηστών και ρυθμό μετάδοσης), ενώ ταυτόχρονα μπορεί και εκπληρώνει τις απαιτήσεις χαμηλού κόστους στην ανάπτυξη των μελλοντικών δικτύων πρόσβασης νέας γενιάς. / Nowadays, the rapid increase in bandwidth demanding services imposes new technological directions in the design of next generation optical networks with the purpose to achieve: a) reduced cost, b) larger transmission distances, c) larger number of users and d) higher bandwidth connectivity to the end user. However, due to the analogue nature of the optical signals, the optical networks suffer from a variety of linear and non-linear impairments. These impairments have a direct impact in the signal’s bit error rate performance, while their effect increases as bit rate increases. The compensation of impairments has been traditionally performed by optical means. However, the rapid increase in available electronic processing power has made electronic mitigation of impairments a viable option, leading to an adaptive, low cost and integrated solution which avoids additional optical losses. The goal of this thesis is to study the effective mitigation by electronic means of the most important impairments (i.e. chromatic dispersion, self phase modulation and filter concatenation) that are related with optical networks and particularly metropolitan, access and passive optical networks. From the network (and system) design point of view, this study proposes the optimum use of certain low cost solutions able to extend (in bit rate and coverage) the applicability of next generation optical networks. More specifically, the effectiveness of electronic equalization is examined for systems utilizing low cost, conventional directly modulated laser (DML) sources that are operated at 10 Gb/s. The purpose in this case is to extend the reach and operating data rate of these systems by mitigating the transmission limiting effects due to the source characteristics and the link impairments (dispersion, self-phase modulation, and filter concatenation) with the optimum use of electronic equalization. Moreover, with respect to next generation optical access networks an effective and useful design approach on PON systems is fully investigated, by using the benefits of electronic equalization at the receiver side (ΟLT). This experimental system studies are focusing on PON systems operated at 10 Gb/s by using low cost and low bandwidth RSOAs at the ONU side assisted by electronic equalization at the receiver (ΟLT). This technique offers the required flexibility for the optimum adaptation on the specific network characteristics (in terms of covered distance, number of users and bit rate) and additionally meets the requirements for the development and further extension of future low cost optical access networks.

Η φυματίωση είναι λοιμώδης νόσος μεταδιδόμενη αερογενώς και προκαλούμενη από βακτήρια τα οποία ανήκουν στην ομάδα των Μυκοβακτηριδίων και ιδιαίτερα στο σύμπλοκο της φυματιώσεως (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex). Τα τελευταία χρόνια αποτελεί ένα επιδεινούμενο πρόβλημα δημόσιας υγείας ανά την υφήλιο, με επίπτωση παγκοσμίως για το 2007 139/100.000 πληθυσμό, ενώ για την Ευρώπη 54/100.000 και για την Ελλάδα 5,9/100.000 πληθυσμό. Η σωστή καταγραφή των κρουσμάτων, συμβάλλει στην πραγματική αποτύπωση του μεγέθους του προβλήματος και των χαρακτηριστικών της νόσου και θα οδηγήσει σε αποτελεσματικές θεραπευτικές παρεμβάσεις, ώστε να επιτευχθούν και στη χώρα μας οι στόχοι που έχει θέσει η ΠΟΥ, δηλαδή ο περιορισμός κατά το ήμισυ της νοσηρότητας και των θανάτων από φυματίωση έως το 1015, συγκριτικά με το 1990 και η εκρίζωση της νόσου έως το 2050. Στην παρούσα μελέτη έγιναν αρχικά δύο επιδημιολογικές έρευνες που αφορούσαν: α) την επιδημιολογία της φυματίωσης στη Δυτική Ελλάδα και την αξιολόγηση της πληρότητας των υποχρεωτικών δηλώσεων (2000-2003) καθώς και β) την εκτίμηση του δείκτη διαμόλυνσης σε μαθητικό πληθυσμό του Νομού Ηλείας (1994-2000). Σκοπός μας ήταν να περιγραφεί και να αναλυθεί η επιδημιολογία της φυματίωσης στη Δυτική Ελλάδα (Νομοί Ηλείας, Αχαΐας, Αιτωλοακαρνανίας), ώστε να εξετασθεί η επάρκεια ολόκληρου του συστήματος επιτήρησης και ελέγχου για τη δηλωτέα αυτή νόσο στο ΚΕΕΛΠΝΟ, καθώς και να αξιολογηθεί η εξέλιξη του δείκτη διαμόλυνσης της φυματίωσης στο νομό Ηλείας, στα πλαίσια πρόληψης της νόσου. Για τον λόγο αυτό, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν επίσημα στοιχεία από την ΠΟΥ, το ΚΕΕΛΠΝΟ, τις Νομαρχιακές αυτοδιοικήσεις, αλλά και αρχεία των νοσοκομείων ENΝΘΔΕ, του ΠΓΝ Πατρών, καθώς και του Κέντρου Υγείας Γαστούνης. Εν συνεχεία, μελετήθηκε η εφαρμογή της Άμεσα Επιτηρούμενης Θεραπείας (DOTS) σε 13 νεοδιαγνωσθέντες ασθενείς με φυματίωση, συγκριτικά με την έκβαση 41 πρώην διαγνωσθέντων ασθενών (μάρτυρες) χωρίς ΑΕΘ, αλλά με την έως τώρα συντηρητική αντιμετώπιση, όλοι κάτοικοι του Νομού Ηλείας. Για την ολοκλήρωση της μελέτης υπήρξε συνεργασία του Πνευμονολογικού Ιατρείου του Γ.Ν. Πύργου με τον ειδικά εκπαιδευμένο Γενικό/Οικογενειακό Ιατρό, ο οποίος πραγματοποιούσε τις κατ΄ οίκον επισκέψεις και προσωπικές συνεντεύξεις στους νέους ασθενείς, στους μάρτυρες αλλά και στα μέλη των οικογένειών τους. Για την στατιστική ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων μας, χρησιμοποιήθηκε το πρόγραμμα SPSS (11,0 – 15,0). Από επιδημιολογικές μελέτες προκύπτει ότι οι χώρες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης παρουσιάζουν μια σταθερή μείωση του μέσου όρου επίπτωσης της φυματίωσης το διάστημα 1986-2006, με την Ελλάδα να έχει τις μικρότερες τιμές (4,7/100.000 το 2001 και 6/100.000 το 2007). Με βάση όμως «ενδεικτικές» επιδημιολογικές μελέτες-έρευνες της φυματίωσης στον Ελλαδικό χώρο σε αντίστοιχα διαστήματα, προκύπτει διακύμανση της επίπτωσης από 16 – 73/100.000. Αναφορικά με την έρευνά μας στη Δυτική Ελλάδα, η μέση ετήσια επίπτωση βρέθηκε να είναι 5,4 ανά 100.000 άτομα (4 Αχαΐα, 6 Αιτωλοακαρνανία, 7,2 Ηλεία), ενώ τα επίσημα στοιχεία από το ΚΕΕΛΠΝΟ παρουσιάζουν μόνο 3,8 κρούσματα ανά 100.000 πληθυσμό. Στην μελέτη μυκοβακτηριδιακής διαμόλυνσης για τον μαθητικό πληθυσμό του νομού Ηλείας, συγκρίνοντας τις δύο τριετίες 1994-1996 και 1998-2000, ο Μ.Ο. εξάπλωσης του ΔΜΔ για τους μαθητές του Δημοτικού μειώθηκε από 0,7% σε 0,16%, ενώ στους μαθητές του Γυμνασίου παρατηρήθηκε μια μικρή πτώση, από 2,51% σε 2,41%. Σε επίπεδο γειτονικών νομών (αλλά και αναπτυγμένων χωρών), ο μέσος φυματινικός δείκτης είναι <1%, ενώ ως εκρίζωση κατά την Π.Ο.Υ. νοείται ο περιορισμός του Δ.Δ.<0,1%. Με βάση τις διεθνείς οδηγίες, η θεραπευτική αντιφυματική αγωγή αποτελείται από INH, RIF, PZA και EMB για 2 μήνες και για τους επόμενους 4 μήνες χορηγούνται μόνο INH και RIF. Κατόπιν αξιολόγησης των αποτελεσμάτων της προοπτικής μας μελέτης υπό το πρόγραμμα DOTS, προκύπτει ότι τα ποσοστά επιτυχούς θεραπείας ήταν 84,6% (προσεγγίζοντας το κατώτερο 85% που έχει θέσει ο WHO), εκ των οποίων 69,2% είχαν αρνητικά πτύελα στο τέλος της θεραπείας και 15,4% ολοκλήρωσαν την θεραπεία χωρίς μικροβιολογική εξέταση πτυέλων (2 αθίγγανοι που δε συνεργάστηκαν). Αξίζει να σημειωθεί, ότι ένας ασθενής απεβίωσε και ένας εξαφανίστηκε, λόγω αλλαγής πόλης στην οποία εργαζόταν. Αντίθετα, για τους μάρτυρες μόνο το 75,6% επιβεβαιώνουν αποτελεσματικότητα της θεραπείας, το 49% έλαβε 9μηνη αντιφυματική αγωγή και το 36% 12μηνη. Η σημαντικότητα της κατ’ οίκον επιτηρούμενης θεραπείας, πέραν της επιτυχούς θεραπείας των ασθενών, παρουσιάζει οφέλη και για τα μέλη. Πριν την κατ’ οίκον επίσκεψη δεν είχε γίνει η διενέργεια Mantoux στο 43,3%, από τα μέλη των ασθενών, στους οποίους και έγινε κατά την επίσκεψη στις οικίες τους από το Γενικό Ιατρό. Αντίθετα, το ήμισυ από τα μέλη των οικογενειών των μαρτύρων, κατά την διάγνωση του ασθενούς τους, δεν προσήλθαν στο νοσοκομείο για διενέργεια Mantoux. Μετά τις επισκέψεις στις οικίες από τον Γενικό Ιατρό, τηρήθηκε απόλυτα η εφαρμογή των μέτρων πρόληψης και συνθηκών διαβίωσης (αερισμός, φωτεινότητα, καθαριότητα, συγχρωτισμός, κ.τ.λ.) στα μέλη των ασθενών. Στα δε μέλη των μαρτύρων ούτε εκεί εφαρμόζονταν σωστά (92,3%) μέτρα πρόληψης – προφύλαξης και αυτό συνέβη καθ’ όλη την διάρκεια θεραπείας του ασθενούς. Σχετικά με τη νοσηρότητα των μελών, από τους 30 συγγενείς – μέλη των ασθενών, οι 4 (13,3%) χρειάστηκαν χημειοπροφύλαξη, ενώ από τους 111 συγγενείς – μέλη των μαρτύρων, οι 14 (12,6%) χρειάστηκαν χημειοπροφύλαξη και οι 7 (6,3%) νόσησαν και έλαβαν θεραπεία. Συμπερασματικά, η σωστή αντιμετώπιση του προβλήματος δεν έγκειται μόνο στην έγκαιρη διάγνωση και θεραπεία, αλλά και στην αξιόπιστη καταγραφή των κρουσμάτων που θα μας ευαισθητοποιήσουν στο να αντιληφθούμε την πραγματικά ανησυχητική διάσταση του προβλήματος και να χρησιμοποιήσουμε αποτελεσματικότερους τρόπους πρόληψης και αντιμετώπισης. Για την πληρέστερη δήλωση των κρουσμάτων, θα πρέπει να υπάρχει ευαισθητοποίηση και ένα εύκολο και προσιτό δίκτυο επικοινωνίας μεταξύ του ΚΕΕΛΠΝΟ, των Νοσοκομειακών αλλά και των ιδιωτών ιατρών, των Κ.Υ. αλλά και των Νομαρχιακών Αυτοδιοικήσεων, προκειμένου να κατανοηθεί επακριβώς ο τρόπος καταγραφής και αποστολής των στοιχείων, κατόπιν διάγνωσης των κρουσμάτων. Η άμεσα επιτηρούμενη θεραπεία, στοχεύει όχι μόνο στη σωστή παρακολούθηση και ίαση των ασθενών με φυματίωση, αλλά και στην εκπαίδευση των μελών των οικογενειών τους σε θέματα πρόληψης και βελτίωσης των επιβαρυντικών παραγόντων διαβίωσης, μειώνοντας σημαντικά τη νοσηρότητα του πληθυσμού. / Tuberculosis is an infectious disease transmitted aerogen and caused by bacteria which belong to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. In the past few years it constitutes an increasing problem of public health with a worldwide incidence rate of 139/100 000 population in the year 2007, while in Europe the incidence was 54 and in Greece 5.9, respectively. The accurate recording of cases contributes to the actual mapping of the burden of the disease leading thus to focused therapeutic interventions, which can be also achieved in our country, according to the goals set by WHO, i.e. the decrease of morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis at least the half until 2015, in comparison to 1990 and the eradication of the disease until 2050. In the present research two epidemiologic studies were carried out, concerning a) the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Western Greece and the evaluation of completeness of TB notifications (2000-2003), b) the estimation of tuberculin status in school population in the Prefecture of Ilia (1994-2000). The aim of the studies was to described and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis in Europe in comparison to Greece, to describe and analyze the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Western Greece (Prefectures Ilia, Achaia, Etoloakarnania) and to evaluate the completeness of TB notifications in order to examine the effectiveness of the surveillance system and the effectiveness of disease control and prevention, as well as to evaluate the tuberculin status in the prefecture of Ilia, in order to examine if satisfactory progress has been achieved in the control and prevention of tuberculosis. For these purposes, official data of WHO, KEELPNO (Hellenic Centre of Disease Control), the local and prefectoral self-administrations were used, as well as records of the hospitals in the examined area and of the Health Centre of Gastouni. Furthermore, a study was carried out, implementing a Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) programme in the prefecture of Ilia (Western Greece) and assessing the efficacy of the WHO-recommended strategy in 13 newly detected pulmonary tuberculosis cases in comparison to 41 TB cases managed conventionally. In collaboration with the clinic of pulmonology of the general hospital of Pyrgos a general practitioner who was educated in DOTS strategy carried out home visits and completed a questionnaire in a face-to-face interview with the newly diagnosed patients, the past treated patients as well as the household members of the patients. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows (v.11.0 – v.15.0). According to the results of the epidemiological studies, the countries of the European Union present a steady decline of the average incidence of tuberculosis (<20/100 000), with Greece presenting the lowest rates (4.7/100 000, 2001). Based on other “indicative” epidemiological studies carried out in Greece, the incidence of tuberculosis varies from 16 – 73, respectively. In regard to the study performed in Western Greece, the mean annual incidence was found to be 5.4 (4 in Achaia, 6 in Etoloakarnania and 7.2 in Ilia), respectively, while the official data from KEELPNO for Western Greece revealed only 3.8 cases per 100 000 population. Finally, for the school population in the prefecture of Ilia, comparing the two three-year periods from 1994-1996 and 1998-2000, the mean prevalence of positive tuberculin status in the primary schoolchildren declined from 0.7% to 0.16%, while in the secondary schoolchildren we observed a very small decline, from 2.51% to 2.41%. In the neighboring prefectures (but also in developed countries), the mean prevalence of positive tuberculin status is <1%, while as indicator for eradication WHO determine a positive tuberculin status<0.1%. Based on the international guidelines, the antituberculosis therapy comprises INH, RIF, PZA and EMB for 2 months and for the following next 4 months only INH and RIF are taking. The evaluation of the results of the prospective DOTS study shows treatment success in 84.6% (approximating the lower limit of 85% set by the WHO), out of them 69.2% had negative saliva swab test at the end of treatment and 15.4% completed the treatment without microbiological examination of the saliva (2 gypsies who showed non compliance). One case under DOTS programme died during the study and one was lost to follow-up, because of change of residence. On the contrary, among the past treated cases 75.6% confirmed treatment effectiveness, in 49% after 9 month therapy duration and in the 36% after 12, respectively. The importance of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course, beyond the successful treatment of patients, presents benefits also for the household members. Before the 1st home visit, Mantoux test was not carried out in 43.3% of the household members, but performed in all members during the 1st home visit by the general practitioner. On the contrary, 50% of the household members of the past treated patients had not carried out Mantoux test after diagnosis confirmation in the past treated patients, since they did not visit the hospital/health center for vaccination. After the doctor’s home visits, the family members adhered to the preventive measures and adequate living conditions (airing, brightness, cleanness, etc.). In the members of past treated patients the preventive measures were not met in 92.3% during the whole treatment period. With regard to the morbidity of the members of DOTS patients, from the 30 household members 4 (13.3%) needed chemoprophylaxis, while from the 111 members of past treated patients, 14 (12.6%) needed chemoprophylaxis and 7 (6.3%) antituberculosis treatment. In conclusion, the adequate confrontation of the problem does not lie only in the early diagnosis and treatment of TB, but also in the reliable notification of cases, in order to create public awareness of the burden and to implement more effective control and prevention measures. For optimal monitoring a more accurate and to all accessible communication network with proper and sincere co-operation between all actors (KEELPNO, hospitals, doctors in private praxis, health centers and prefectoral self-governments) is needed, in order to improve the accuracy of the notification system. The Directly Observed Treatment Short Course aims not only in the appropriate control and cure of the TB patients, but also in the education of the household members, in regard to prevention and improvement of aggravating risk factors, decreasing thus considerably the burden of the disease.

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of health care workers who care for patients receiving treatment under DOTS strategy at public health facilities in the Windhoek District of the Khomas Region. A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used in this study. A purposive sampling was used to select participants who met the inclusion criteria for the study. The inclusion criteria was to be a health care worker who at the time of the study was working with patients who are on DOT for at least 6 months. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. The study was conducted in the Windhoek district of the Khomas region, with a sample of 14 health care workers. Data was analysed by means of content analysis, a process of organizing and integrating narrative, qualitative data according to emerging themes and concepts. The three themes, which emerged from data analysis, were the knowledge of health care workers regarding the implementation of DOTS, the attitudes of health care workers towards patients on DOT which may affect the success of their treatments, and the experiences of health care workers when attending to patients on DOTS. The findings from the study may be used to engage stakeholders to address the shortcomings that exist in the implementation of the DOTS strategy in the district. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar o modo como vem sendo implementado o tratamento diretamente observado (TDO) da tuberculose (TB) pulmonar no município de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, identificando suas aproximações com as ações de Promoção da Saúde recomendadas/sugeridas pelo Programa Nacional de Controle da Tuberculose. O estudo foi realizado com base no referencial da Promoção da Saúde, e teve caráter qualitativo do tipo exploratório-descritivo. As informações analisadas foram obtidas a partir de entrevistas semi-estruturadas com nove profissionais da saúde envolvidos no TDO bem como de documentos oficiais e manuais técnicos de controle da (TB). O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Porto Alegre. Os resultados foram organizados em uma categoria principal “O Cenário do TDO da TB em Serviços de Saúde de Porto Alegre” que se divide em três subcategorias: “As palavras das gestoras: nossa fala é a fala do Ministério”, “A consciência dos limites da prática: TDO não é a nossa realidade” e “É preciso ampliar: não existe solução mágica para a tuberculose”. As informações coletadas tem a ver com a visão dos gestores sobre a implementação do TDO da TB em Porto Alegre, os limites encontrados pelos profissionais da saúde para realizarem o TDO e os movimentos, na lógica da promoção da saúde, realizados pelos profissionais no controle da doença. A pesquisa identificou uma baixa cobertura de TDO em Porto Alegre, além de discrepâncias entre o que é recomendado e planejado para a implementação do TDO e o que é colocado em prática. Por fim, foram indicadas estratégias que levam em conta os determinantes sociais da saúde, identificadas pelos profissionais como importantes para o controle da TB. Contudo, segundo os participantes ainda é pouco explorada a potência destes projetos para a realização do TDO. Sugere-se, devido à importância e à complexidade do tema TB, que se siga investindo em estudos que analisem o contexto de implementação do TDO, analisando os limites e as possibilidades da realização de ações que objetivem a promoção da saúde dos usuários acometidos por TB. / This research aimed at analyzing how the Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) of lung tuberculosis (TB) is being implemented in the municipality of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, by identifying its approaches to the actions of Health Promotion as recommended and suggested by the National Program of Tuberculosis Control. The study was qualitative. It was carried out on the basis of Health Promotion assumptions and concepts. Data was gathered from semi-structured interviews with nine health professionals who are involved in the implementation of the DOT strategy in selected health services, as well as from official documents and technical manuals of TB control. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and by the Research Ethics Committee of the Municipal Health Secretariat of Porto Alegre. The results were organized in a main category called “The scenario of the DOT of TB in Health Services of Porto Alegre”. This category was divided into three subcategories: “The managers’ words: our speech is the speech of the Ministry”, The awareness of the limits of practice: DOT is not our reality” and “Broadening is needed: there is no magic solution for TB”. The information analysis comprised the managers´ vision as to the implementation of the supervised tuberculosis treatment, the difficulties of health professionals to carry out the DOT and the movements within the health promotion logics, made by the professionals within the field of disease control. The research led to the conclusion that there is a low coverage of the DOT in Porto Alegre. In addition, there are discrepancies between what is recommended and planned for the implementation of DOT and what is put into practice. At last, strategies that take into account the social determinants of health were indicated by the professionals as important for TB control. However, the research participants suggested that the potential of these projects for the realization of DOT is still less explored. Due to the importance and complexity of the TB issue, it is suggested the continuing of investments on studies that analize the context of the implementation of DOT, analyzing the limits and possibilities of performing actions to promote the health of people with TB. / Este estudio tenía como objetivo analizar el modo cómo está siendo implantado el tratamiento directamente observado (TDO) de la tuberculosis (TB) pulmonar en la municipalidad de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, identificando sus aproximaciones con las acciones de Promoción de la Salud recomendadas y sugeridas por el Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis. El estudio fue realizado con base en el referencial de la Promoción de la Salud, y delineado por el carácter cualitativo del tipo exploratorio-descriptivo. Las informaciones analizadas se obtuvieron a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas con 9 profesionales de la salud involucrados en el TDO así como de documentos oficiales y manuales técnicos de control de la TB. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación de la Universidad Federal del Rio Grande do Sul y por el Comité de Ética en Investigación de la Secretaría Municipal de Salud de Porto Alegre. Los resultados se organizaron en una categoría principal “El Escenario del TDO de la TB en Servicios de Salud de Porto Alegre” que se divide en três subcategorías: “Las palabras de la gestión: nuestra habla es el habla del Ministerio”, “La consciencia de los límites de la práctica: TDO no es la nuestra realidad” y “Es preciso ampliar: no existe solución mágica para la TB”. El análisis de las informaciones comprendió la visión de los gestores en cuanto a la implementación del TDO de la TB, las dificultades de los profesionales de la salud para realizar el TDO y los movimientos, en la lógica de la promoción de la salud, realizados por los profesionales en el control de la enfermedad. El estudio generó la conclusión de que hay una baja cobertura de TDO en Porto Alegre. Además, hay discrepancias entre lo que es planeado y orientado con lo que es puesto en práctica, con respecto al TDO. Por fin, se identificaron estrategias innovadoras realizadas por los profesionales de la salud para el control de la TB, que consideran los determinantes sociales de la salud. Sin embargo, todavía es poco explorada la potencia de estos proyectos para la realización del TDO. Debido a la importancia y a la complejidad del tema TB, se sugiere seguir con inversiones en estudios que presentan nuevas estrategias para el control de la enfermedad.