Awareness and attitude of pulmonary tuberculosis patients toward tuberculosis: A cross-sectional study from Chitwan district of Nepal

Abstract

Background: Despite the remarkable success been made in the prevention and control of Tuberculosis, it remains one of the major public health problems in developing countries. It is the second leading cause of death amongst infectious diseases. Objective: To assess awareness and attitudes of ex/current TB patients (under DOTS) regarding tuberculosis (TB) in Jutpani Village Development Committee (VDC) of Chitwan district, Nepal. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out during July to December 2012 in Jutpani VDC of Chitwan district, Nepal. All (114) the patients of Pulmonary TB undergoing treatment with DOTS therapy including those who had completed the treatment during July 2010 to June 2012 constituted participants of the study. Data were collected through individual interview and analysed by SPSS (16.version). Results: Blood in sputum (80.7%), evening fever (71.9%), and chronic cough (21.1%) were reported as common symptoms of TB. Only 17.5percent were known about the causative organism of TB. Primary immunization (81.5%), avoiding personal contact (54.6%) with the TB patients and use of face masks (12.2%) were the reported preventive measures of TB. Most of the participants had strongly agreed (68.4%) that DOTS is an effective treatment and the treatment should not be discontinued during the course of treatment (61.4%). Out of 14 attitude measurement statements, there were positive agreements amongst more than 60 percent which indicate the affirmative opinions with respect to existing knowledge. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of tuberculosis was good amongst participants; however, only few had correct knowledge about the cause, modes of transmission, and prevention of TB. Majority had positive attitude toward the TB prevention and control in accordance with the existing knowledge of TB. Selective approaches need to be employed to create awareness and case identification of tuberculosis in such pocket areas where the tubercular infection persists as a public health problem.