A Study of the Level of Awareness about Tuberculosis among Employees of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) in India is a major public health problem. Government of India has committed to end TB by 2025 through its National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme. Awareness about tuberculosis especially among healthcare workers (HCWs) is considered crucial for the success of the program. Objective: The study aimed to assess TB awareness level among HCWs (other than the medical officers) and other employees. Methods: The study was carried out in a large city in Uttar Pradesh, India, from Jul 2021 to Dec 2021. Study population included all employees of the hospital except medical officers. The employees other than the HCWs provided the inbuilt comparison group. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires which included questions related to cause, mode of transmission, organ involvement, preventive, and treatment aspects of TB. Data were analyzed using STATA 17.0 statistical software. Results: Out of 244 study subjects, 128 (52.5%) were HCWs and 116 (47.5%) were other than HCWs. More than 80% of HCWs correctly knew that TB was a communicable disease that spread through air; most commonly affected lungs; was preventable as well as treatable; and the Govt. of India provided free of cost medicine to all TB patients. The overall awareness level among HCWs and Others was 74.5% and 66.0%, respectively. Compared to Others, HCWs were found more aware about 9 out of 10 aspects included in the questionnaire. The difference was found statistically significant in 4 out of 10 aspects. Conclusion: TB awareness among HCWs was found better than other hospital employees.