Partners against @entity378 : Ethiopia's " XXXX clubs".

@entity1 @entity378 @entity137
@entity378 ( @entity378 ) clubs were first introduced in the Estie district of South Gonder administrative zone, Amhara region of northwestern Ethiopia in January 1997, in an attempt to improve @entity378 control in rural areas. Before the clubs were introduced, @entity1 who were family members or close neighbors were given different treatment follow-up dates. Walking long distances alone to secure treatment, @entity1 often grew discouraged from continuing treatment once their health began to improve. However, upon the introduction of the @entity378 clubs, neighboring @entity1 , or those in the same family, had their follow-up appointment dates rearranged in the same clinics. Local neighborhoods were also used to group nearby @entity1 in the same follow-up clinic. The @entity1 then formed their own groups ( @entity378 clubs) and elected leaders. 3-10 members usually comprise each club, with the club leaders monitoring drug intake and new developments, such as @entity137 and toxic skin reactions. The social ostracism and stigma otherwise experienced by @entity1 have been largely overcome as a result of the @entity378 information disseminated within the communities by the clubs, while @entity1 attendance for treatment has increased from 68% to 98%, according to one study's findings. This intervention has taken place using the long-course treatment protocol (2STH/EH and 10TH/EH). @entity378 clubs are improving @entity1 adherence to treatment, passive case detection, defaulter tracing, @entity378 reporting and recording, and community involvement in health care.
