The treatment observers play an important role in the success of DOTS strategy. They have to ensure the patients taking the regiments completely heal and prevent new infections. During 2001-2002 could be recorded 240 defaulted tuberculosis patients and 226 treatment observers from 10 health centres in DKI Jakarta.

Majority of the treatment observers were family members (95.6%). They had a lack of knowledge of tuberculosis, low education (52.3 %), and a lack of  knowledge about their tasks (only 42.4% observed routinely).

The patients also had lack of knowledge about the disease and have low level of education. The main reason the patients stopped taking the medicines was that they feel healtier (65.6%). Special attention needs to be given for treatment observers by providing information and education either personally or in groups so they are well informed  about tuberculosis including prevention and treatment.

The treatment observers understand their role in helping patiens to be healthy by observing the treatment everyday, and ensuring that the medicines are always available in the right combinations and appropriate duration.

Keyword : Tuberculosis, defaulted, treatment observers.