Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the effect to improve treatment compliance of new smear positive (NSP) tuberculosis patients with directly observed treatment by family member. MethodsThe epidemiological, experimental study was utilized. From June 2006 to April 2007, NSP cases registered in Hanchuan, Yidu, Xianfeng, Zigui and Jianshi counties were randomly allocated to two groups using SAS software. Experimental group (Group 1) received Directly Observed Treatment Short-term (DOTS) conducted by family member and control group (Group2) by village doctor. The treatment compliance and cure rate between 2 groups were evaluated. EpiData V3.02 software, EpiData Analysis V2.0.3.129 software and SAS 8.0 software were adopted for data entry, analyzing and χ² analysis. ResultsOf total 532 TB cases registered in five counties, 270 were allocated in group 1 and 262 in group 2. The sputum examination rate after 2, 5,6 months’ treatment were 95.9%, 93.0% and 92.6% respectively in group 1, and 95.8%, 89.7% and 88.9% in group 2. There was significant difference between 2 groups on sputum examination rate after 6 months’ treatment (χ²=6.9350,P<0.05); 24300 does should be taken and 23126 were taken actually in group 1. 23580 does should be taken and 22045 were taken actually in group 2. The drug-taking compliance rate in group 1 (95.2%) was significantly higher than that in group 2 （93.5%, χ²=63.1636, P<0.01）. The sputum conversion rate after 2 months treatment and cure rate were 95.6% and 92.6% in groups 1 and 95.4%, 88.9% in group 2. There was no significant difference between 2 groups on sputum conversion rate and cure rate. ConclusionsIt is possible to increase treatment compliance of new smear-positive TB patients and DOTS implement quality by encouraging educated, trained and responsible family member or volunteer as family supervisor in rural areas.

Key words: tuberculosis,pulmonary/drug therapy, family nursing, patient compliance