The source of referral and patient’s reaction to diagnosis were studied in relation to
regularity of treatment in 107 patients attending Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC), Chennai. In all,
29% of the patients were referred by family members, 27% by neighbours and friends, 11% attended
on their own, private practitioners referred 18% and government facilities/NGOs referred 15%. The
initial reactions to diagnosis of tuberculosis were anxiety, fear, worry and/or shock in 59%. Only 31%
of the patients were hopeful of cure at the time.
All those who attended on their own completed > 80% of treatment as did 90% of those who were
hopeful of cure at the time of diagnosis. And, 86% of those who experienced a negative reaction (fear
of death, anxiety and worry) completed > 80% of treatment
