Health Volunteers and TB Prevention

Abstract

It has been widely accepted that TB, a re-emerging disease, becomes an important health problem. Because of burden of other diseases, the number of health care officers does not match the number of TB patients. Also in hospitals and health care centers, TB clinics only open once a week and this may contribute to more default in terms of drug adherence particularly with looming drug adverse effects. Therefore co-operations among TB patients, their families, health care officers and health volunteers are essential to prevent drug default and to improve TB patients’ drug adherence. Health volunteers as assistants of health care officers will have very important roles in case finding or as Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) watcher. To develop health volunteers on TB care is essential, particularly during the economic crisis and limited number of health care officers.