Abstract
This study was carried out in 2009 to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of tuberculosis (TB) and its socio-demographic determinants in six selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A total of 1,200 respondents were selected from 6 Local Government Areas by multi-stage sampling technique and responses elicited from them by semi-structured, pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Awareness of tuberculosis was high (93%) among the households. Primary sources of information were radio (59.1%), community members (29.8%) and television (17.1%). Knowledge of tuberculosis disease was low, except for knowledge of TB symptoms (61.5%). Urban residents had better knowledge of TB than the rural respondents. Most of them believed that TB is curable and would opt for medical consultation, following suspicion of TB. Despite having relatively poorer knowledge of TB, rural communities were less likely to stigmatise against persons with TB (p = 0.000). Urban households had significantly better knowledge of TB and access to TB services (p = 0.000). Educational status of an individual and the spouse, literacy status and religion were significantly associated with TB-related knowledge, attitude and practice. Therefore, socio-demographic factors should be considered in subsequent behavioural changes communications in the country. Key words: Perception, symptoms, transmission, determinants, Nigeria.  
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) has remained a major killer disease, despite efforts to reduce its burden globally
The country in recent times has intensified efforts to address the challenge posed by the disease through expansion and enhancement of TB service, and Directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS)
Awareness of TB was quite high in this part of Nigerian greater than 78% reported in Iraq, but marginally lower than 99.1% reported in India (Sharma et al, 2007; Mushtaq et al, 2010; Yousif et al, 2009)
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) has remained a major killer disease, despite efforts to reduce its burden globally. More significantly affected are developing countries, including Nigeria (Wang et al, 2008). The country is ranked fourth globally and first in Africa, among 22 high burden TB countries. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), number of TB-related deaths reported in the country in 2008 was 94,826 (WHO, 2009). The country in recent times has intensified efforts to address the challenge posed by the disease through expansion and enhancement of TB service, and Directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS). The country has achieved 75% DOTS coverage. Despite increased availability of TB services, case detection has
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