Question

'DOTS' indicates

• A. Long-term treatment under direct observation
• B. Short-term treatment under direct observation
• C. Short-term treatment without observation
• D. Domiciliary treatment without observation

Hint:

DOTS expands to Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks what the abbreviation DOTS stands for in the National Tuberculosis Control Programme.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
DOTS is the WHO recommended strategy for tuberculosis control, built around giving anti-TB drugs for a fixed short duration while a health worker watches the patient swallow every dose.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
DOTS stands for Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course.
"Short-course" means the standard regimen lasts about 6 to 8 months rather than the older regimens of 12 to 18 months.
"Directly Observed" means a health worker or trained volunteer physically watches the patient take each dose, so pills are not skipped, hoarded or sold.
This combination cuts default rates and stops drug resistant strains from developing.
Option (A) is wrong because DOTS uses a short, not long, course.
Option (C) is wrong because observation is the whole point of the strategy, not its absence.
Option (D) is wrong because DOTS relies on supervised intake, not unsupervised home dosing.

Step 4: Final Answer:
DOTS indicates short-term treatment under direct observation.
\[ \boxed{\text{Short-term treatment under direct observation}} \]