Operational study to monitor the regularity of dapsone intake by leprosy out-patients.

319 leprosy patients, attending our Mobile Treatment Unit, were monitored for their regularity of dapsone intake by (1) Physical verification of DDS tablets; and (2) Spot test, in the field. The consistency in regularity of DDS intake by these patients, was monitored at two more occasions at the interval of about two months. Only 36% patients were regular in attending the clinics. On an average one patient would miss about one third of the clinics in a year. The number of patients taking regular treatment increased from 62% (I round) to 79% (in III round). Approximately 10% patients collected DDS tablets from clinic but never ingested them; and 3% to 7% patients removed Dapsone tablets regularly but ingested none of it, as indicated by negative spot tests. The spot test was found to be positive in about 86% patients, and had a very good correlation (98%) with DDS/Cr. ratio. Both the methods of monitoring were found to be operationally very feasible and reliable under field conditions, hence can be used together to monitor the dapsone intake by leprosy patients, in National Leprosy Control Programme.