Abstract
A total of 420 records of tuberulous patients among Afghani refugees who attended a tuberculosis centre in Quetta, Pakistan were reviewed. There were 53% males and 47% females with an average age of 29.8 (SD +/- 16.9) years. The average number of individuals per household was 7.3 (SD +/- 3.26) and in 28% there was a positive family history of tuberculosis. The most frequent symptoms were fever (92.0%), cough (91.4%), sputum (82.1%), night sweats (75.0%) and 33% had haemoptysis. Ninety-six (22.9%) patients had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, involving bone and spine (12.4%), lymphnodes (8.6%) and genitourinary tract (1.9%). Only 58% of the patients completed the course; 42% were non-compliant out of whom 8% were defaulters and 5.0% were last. Females were generally more compliant than males (p<0.05), but the significant sex difference disappeared when age was controlled for (p>0.05). The distance of domicile from the treatment centre was an important determinant in compliance (p<0.05). Since non-compliance is a major problem among refugees. strategies to improve the compliance rates should be advocated.