Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Community in Riyadh City, 2017

Abstract

Background: The control of TB could achieved with a high level of knowledge regarding managing the risk factors and high risk groups. Objectives: Assess the knowledge of community population toward tuberculosis (TB) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: A community based-cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 675 adult Saudi population at the several malls of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia during the period from February to May 2017.All respondents filled out a validated questionnaire for assessing the subject's demographic and knowledge about tuberculosis. Results: The general knowledge about TB was high among 88.7% of subjects and the source of knowledge was health professionals in 35.1% followed by TV in 32.9% and internet among 32%. A poor knowledge was found among 55.9% and good knowledge was shown among 44.1% of respondents. The good knowledge was significantly associated with young age and working at medical jobs. Conclusion: Most of participants had misconceptions about tuberculosis. Also, the control programs for TB in KSA need more understanding for enhancement of TB control and improve medical awareness among population in KSA as well as increasing protection measures against the infection with TB.