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Rapid assessment of a National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme in Eastern Ghana.

Rapid assessment of a National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) that provides free treatment for TB patients was conducted at Koforidua in eastern Ghana. In 1997, 540 people were clinically suspected with TB and 148 tested positive by laboratory diagnosis. Likewise in the first quarter of 1998, 223 people were suspected and 25 tested positive. Thus, coverage rate increased from 45 in 1997 to 74.5 in 1998. TB incidence was highest (29.7%) in age group 31-40 years and lower (2.2%) in children below 10 years. More males (64%) had TB than females. In 1996, 196 pulmonary TB patients were receiving treatment at Koforidua Central Hospital (KCH). Outcome assessments revealed 40.6% were cured, 5.6% had treatment failure, 6.7% were transferred out, 1.1% died, but most 46.1% defaulted. Defaulters were mostly men (46.3%) and those residing in Koforidua suburbs (47.2%) but this was statistically insignificant. The treatment regimen was effective since most cases were new (70%) with few relapses and treatment failures, 1.2% each. Knowledge of the reason for defaulting is important for the success of the NTP programme.