Evaluation of short-term chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis in the Health Institutions of the Vale do Paraíba, 1980-1981, S. Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The results of the short-term chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis performed on patients who were admitted to the Health Clinics of one of the S. Paulo State's Health Divisions and who completed the treatment during the period from October 1980 to October 1981 are shown. Such aspects of the records as Health Districts, patient's age and sex, success and regimen of treatment, hospitalization, drug toxicity and smear negativity period were analysed. The findings confirm the effectiveness of short-term chemotherapy under program conditions as corroborated by its acceptability to the patients, the success achieved and the benefits in the decrease of the number of admissions to hospital and in the reduction of the sources of infection within a shorter period.