Fruit and Vegetables Intake and Plasma Homocysteine Levels among Residents of Municipality of São Paulo

tuberculosis in Dhaka city to enhance Stop TB strategy supported by National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP), Bangladesh. Methods Data were collected from 11 DOTcenters located in 11 out of 90 wards in Dhaka city using a two-stage systematic sampling technique. All the facilities providing DOTservices were the primary sampling unit for this study. A total of 62 pulmonary tuberculosis cases selected were interviewed at home. Results Mean ages of the patients were 31612 years, 61.3% were male and 84% literate. About 95% patients gave 3 sputum samples whereas only 62% followed correct procedure for giving sputum for diagnosis. 73% of the patients swallowed drug at home. About 74% respondents swallowed drug under direct observation. Treatment follow-up schedule was followed by 88% smear positive and 93% smear negative patients. Patients had highly positive attitude towards DOT though 58% of the patients showed average knowledge level regarding tuberculosis. Overall 78% patients showed adherence to DOT. Level of education showed significant association (p<0.05) with patients’ “opinion about necessity of direct observation” and “following of sputum giving procedure correctly for diagnosis. Conclusion Although patients level of knowledge was average but showed highly positive attitude and good adherence towards DOT. Strict monitoring, frequent sensitisation and assistance regarding diagnosis and treatment follow-up may increase the adherence as well as quality of DOT.