[Comparative study on efficacy of regimens including streptomycin or ethambutol].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of regimens of 2E3H3R3Z3/4H3R3(EMB regimen) and 2S3H3R3Z3/4H3R3(SM regimen) in tuberculosis control program. METHOD: Retrospective, cross-sectional and prospective studies were carried out in Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province from January 1994 to June 1996. RESULT: There was no significant difference between the two regimens in efficacy, relapse rate and full course supervision. The EMB regimen was found more applicable than the SM regimen, and the SM regimen caused more side effects than the EMB regimen. Streptomycin skin test had a 4.5% positive rate, and using SM costs 84% more than using EMB. One of the drawbacks found in the SM regimen was that only in 42.9% of the rural sanitation units the disinfection standard could be fulfilled, and the patients preferred the EMB regimen to the SM regimen. CONCLUSION: The EMB regimen is more applicable than the SM regimen in the tuberculosis control program.