Abstract
The Tuberculosis (TB) control program in Bangladesh is still unsatisfactory due to insufficient knowledge and stigma about TB. Patients with low knowledge may be at higher risk of experiencing delays in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The aims of this study were to identify the knowledge levels of TB and investigate the factors associated with knowledge level among the TB patients in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. A total of 384 TB patients were interviewed through a pretested, structured questionnaire using purposive sampling techniques. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of selected socio-demographic factors on TB knowledge level. The results revealed that pulmonary TB patients had greater knowledge than that of extra-pulmonary patients, and that sex, age, educational status and TB type were significantly associated with knowledge level. In general, males and young adults, ages 21-35, had greater awareness about transmission and prevention of TB than females and adults over 35. Individuals with higher education and urban area patients were comparatively better informed about TB infection. Patients with greater knowledge about TB were also less likely to experience delays in seeking treatment.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic communicable bacterial disease that remains an important public health problem, especially in developing countries
A pulmonary TB patient is defined as a patient who has TB, which refers to a disease involving the lung parenchyma
The study was carried out in the six different healthcare centers located in the city, namely Rajshahi Medical Collage Hospital (RMCH), Tilottoma (Noudapara Branch), Tilottoma (Bulonpur Branch), Rajshahi Chest Disease Hospital (CDH), Rajshahi Chest Disease Clinic (CDC) and Population Service and Training Centre (PSTC) (Figure 1)
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic communicable bacterial disease that remains an important public health problem, especially in developing countries. TB is an airborne, infectious disease caused by bacteria which primarily affect the lungs. A pulmonary TB patient is defined as a patient who has TB, which refers to a disease involving the lung parenchyma. An extra-pulmonary TB patient is defined as a patient who has TB disease, but refers to TB of organs other than the lungs, e.g. pleura, lymph nodes, abdomen, genitourinary tract, skin, joints and bones, meninges, central nervous system, spine, kidneys, pericardium, intestines and peritoneum. A new case is defined by the Bangladesh National TB control program (NTP) as being a patient who had never received antiTB treatment or who had received it for less than 1 month after diagnosis by the government or non-government medical providers. An old case is defined as a patient who has been declared cured but remains a TB patient or not cured after completing continuous phase
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