Directly observed treatment, short-course
Tubercuolosis treatment strategy / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"DOTS" redirects here. For the brand of gumdrops, see Dots (candy).
Directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS, also known as TB-DOTS) is the name given to the tuberculosis (TB) control strategy recommended by the World Health Organization.[1] According to WHO, "The most cost-effective way to stop the spread of TB in communities with a high incidence is by curing it. The best curative method for TB is known as DOTS."[2] DOTS has five main components:
- Government commitment (including political will at all levels, and establishment of a centralized and prioritized system of TB monitoring, recording and training)
- Case detection by sputum smear microscopy
- Standardized treatment regimen directly of six to nine months observed by a healthcare worker or community health worker for at least the first two months
- Drug supply
- A standardized recording and reporting system that allows assessment of treatment results