Abstract
This report is aimed at studying the management trend of Rasisalai Clinic and the
general data on the occurrence of new tuberculosis cases in Rasisalai district, Srisaket
Province, for creating a proper TB control planning program. An interview survey was
conducted at the TB clinic; all 134 TB cases had been registered between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006. The majority were males (64.2%), had a primary school level of
education (88.1% ), were farmers (71.9%) and were more than 60 years old (40.3%).
These patients were more likely to have been vaccinated with BCG (70.1%) than not
vaccinated (29.9%). The study population also had other health indications as follows:
DM 11.2 percent and HIV infection 1.5 percent. The most important factor was contact
with TB cases in their households (70.1%). Improper protection measures between TB
patients and their relatives could account for the occurrence of new TB cases: no mask
(53.2%), improper sputum collection (36.7%), no isolated bedroom (33.6%) and no isolated
eating area (35.8%). These behaviors were relevant to poor management of the
Rasisalai TB Clinic in terms of screening TB contacts in the households and in terms of
protective education.
We concluded that the effective TB treatment regimen offerred by DOTS to control
TB prevalence was not enough; the incidence of TB cases is still rising. We purpose speeding
up the screening of new cases in different high-risk groups, especially for persons
contacting tuberculosis cases in the same household. Proper protective behavior between
the TB patients and their relatives staying with them is imperative. A good clean environment
is another issue that should be the responsibility of the community at every level.
