A case-control study identifying the characteristics of patients providing incorrect contact information at registration for DOTS in Pune, India.

BACKGROUND: Provision of incorrect contact information by the patient at the time of registration for treatment is a deterrent to treatment adherence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of patients providing incomplete contact information at the time of registration for Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) at the tuberculosis units (TUs) in Pune, India.

METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted where the characteristics of patients who had provided incorrect contact information (cases) were compared with the characteristics of patients who could be traced (controls). Cases and controls were identified from a cohort of 3802 tuberculosis patients registered at the DOTS centres in Pune. Correct or incorrect contact information was ascertained by visiting each address provided at the time of registration. Characteristics associated with providing incorrect contact information were determined through multinomial regression analysis.

RESULTS: There were 406 (10.7%) patients who could not be traced due to incorrect address provided at the time of registration at the DOTS centres. Registration at the TUs in the peripheral areas of the city (odds ratio (OR)=3.57, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.64-4.84) and engagement in migration prone occupation (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.47-2.26) were associated with odds of providing incorrect information at the time of registration.

CONCLUSION: Untraceable patients were more likely to be engaged in occupations with a potential for migration. DOTS centres located in developing areas of cities should reinforce validation of contact information of patients.