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Treatment

Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course

Preventive and Immunologic Intervention

Directly observed treatment, short-course, known as DOTS, is the tuberculosis control strategy recommended by the World Health Organization, which holds that the most cost-effective way to stop the spread of tuberculosis in high-incidence communities is by curing it. Its main components are government commitment, case detection by sputum smear microscopy among symptomatic patients, a standardized six-to-eight month treatment regimen with directly observed therapy for at least the initial two months, an uninterrupted supply of essential anti-tuberculosis drugs, and a standardized recording and reporting system to assess treatment results.

Facts
Partially Attested
Origin Year
1994 1
1994 is when the DOTS name and concept were developed; the underlying technical strategy was developed by Styblo in the 1970s and 80s.
Classification
Status
Standard of Care 1
Connections

Treats

Directly observed treatment, short course, known as DOTS, is the World Health Organization strategy for treating tuberculosis.

Sources
1. Directly observed treatment, short-course - Wikipedia
  • History
    In the Fall of 1994, Kraig Klaudt, WHO's TB Advocacy Officer, developed the name and concept for a marketing strategy
  • Clinical use status
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