What is the knowledge of tubercular patients about risk factors contributing to development of their disease

Abstract

Present knowledge of population on basic characteristics of tuberculosis is a significant issue of prevention of tuberculosis. The objective of our study was to determine the level of knowledge on risk factors of tuberculosis among tubercular patients. A total of 115 new patients with the active pulmonary tuberculosis were interviewed by means of anonymous questionnaire, who has been treated at the Institute of Pulmonary Diseases, Sremska Kamenica during six-month period (October 2003-March 2004). The patients fulfilled the questionnaire; 37.6% had no or finished only elementary school, and 58.6% considered genetics the main risk factor of tuberculosis. Every second patient believed that he could not catch tuberculosis if he suffered from diabetes mellitus or any kind of tumor. 8.7 % of patients who suffered from diabetes mellitus had been informed by their physicians that could catch tuberculosis one day. Every third patient did not possess sewage system and nearly 20% lived in moist flats. Around 85% had no regular salaries or these were significantly under the average Serbian income per capita in this period (12820 dinars-CSD). Leading risk factors that can contribute to development of tuberculosis were as follows: irregular nutrition (91.4%), smoking (74.2%), alcohol consumption (65.5%) and associated diseases (diabetes mellitus, tumors). Only 15% of them believed that all these risk factors (smoking, alcohol, irregular diet) could participate together in development of tuberculosis, and not as individual factors. Analyzing the patients' knowledge on risk factors of tuberculosis, in relation to their educational level and alcohol and cigarettes consumption, there was no significant difference (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, analyzing the quality of life in patients' houses, in relation to salary and bad habits (alcohol, cigarettes) as risk factors of tuberculosis, significant statistical difference was found (p > 0.05). Intensive and permanent education of population is necessary primarily considering the knowledge on tuberculosis that would be the basis of reducing the number of patients and leading to possible eradication of this disease.