Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess tuberculosis (TB) knowledge, attitudes, and practices in both the general population and risk groups in Thailand. In a cross-sectional survey, a general population (n = 3,074) and family members of a TB patient (n = 559) were randomly selected, using stratified multistage sampling, and interviewed. The average TB knowledge score was 5.7 (maximum = 10) in the Thai and 5.1 in the migrant and ethnic minorities general populations, 6.3 in Thais with a family member with TB, and 5.4 in migrants and ethnic minorities with a family member with TB. In multivariate linear regression among the Thai general population, higher education, higher income, and knowing a person from the community with TB were all significantly associated with level of TB knowledge. Across the different study populations, 18.6% indicated that they had undergone a TB screening test. Multivariate logistic regression found that older age, lower education, being a migrant or belonging to an ethnic minority group, residing in an area supported by the Global Fund, better TB knowledge, having a family member with TB, and knowing other people in the community with TB was associated having been screened for TB. This study revealed deficiencies in the public health knowledge about TB, particularly among migrants and ethnic minorities in Thailand. Sociodemographic factors should be considered when designing communication strategies and TB prevention and control interventions.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to assess tuberculosis (TB) knowledge, attitudes, and practices in both the general population and risk groups in Thailand
The study design was a cross-sectional survey that use multi-stage stratified systematic sampling in Thailand [19]
In agreement with a previous study [12], this study found that sociodemographic factors such as older age, being male, and having poorer TB knowledge were all associated with a community stigmatizing attitude toward TB
Summary
The aim of this study was to assess tuberculosis (TB) knowledge, attitudes, and practices in both the general population and risk groups in Thailand. Multivariate logistic regression found that older age, lower education, being a migrant or belonging to an ethnic minority group, residing in an area supported by the Global Fund, better TB knowledge, having a family member with TB, and knowing other people in the community with TB was associated having been screened for TB. Despite strong efforts to implement a TB control program in Thailand [3], gaps in the TB program seem to prevent the achievement of the required 85% treatment success rate of smear-positive TB cases [4]. Another weakness of the TB program in Thailand is that the needs of high-risk populations are not addressed [4]. There has been a general lack of resources to raise TB awareness and support TB case finding among these high-risk populations [4]
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