Knowledge, attitude and associated factors towards tuberculosis in Lesotho: a population based study

Abstract

BackgroundLesotho has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) incidence and TB-HIV co-infection in the world. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and associated factors towards TB in the general population of Lesotho.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis from the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) 2014 was carried out among 9247 respondents. We used the chi-square test as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the associations of socio-demographic variables with respondent knowledge of and attitude towards TB.ResultsThe overall knowledge of TB in the general population of Lesotho was adequate (59.9%). There was a significant difference between female and male respondents regarding knowledge about TB (67.0% vs. 41.8%). Almost 95% of respondents had “heard of an illness called tuberculosis”, and 80.5% knew that TB can be cured. Only 11.5% knew the correct cause of TB (TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Female respondents were relatively aware of TB, knew about the correct cause and mode for transmission of TB and knew that TB is a curable disease compared to male respondents. A higher proportion of respondents (72.8%) had a positive attitude towards TB. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.45, 95% CI: 2.10–2.86; p < 0.001), age (AOR) =1.76, 95% CI: 1.29–2.41; p < 0.001), educational level (AOR = 6.26, 95% CI: 3.90–10.06; p < 0.001), formerly married or cohabitated (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.10–1.85; p = 0.008), mass media exposure (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08–1.64; p = 0.008) and occupation (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.00–1.44; p = 0.049) were strongly associated with respondent knowledge of TB. Sex (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01–1.41; p = 0.034), educational level (AOR = 1.661, 95% CI: 06–2.60; p = 0.028), mass media exposure (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.06–1.62; p = 0.012) and occupation (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04–1.52; p = 0.016) were strongly associated with respondent attitude towards TB.ConclusionStrategies to improve the knowledge of Lesotho’s people about TB should focus on males, young residents, those who are illiterate, those who are unmarried and farmers. Special attention should be given to males, young residents, rural residents, those who are illiterate and farmers to improve their attitude towards TB in Lesotho.

The role of mass media exposure on Tuberculosis knowledge and attitude among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Northwest Ethiopia

“…There is a significant increase in knowledge among mass media exposed migrants and seasonal farm workers. This finding is in agreement with a study conducted in a general population of Lesotho (21) and India (26). This is due to the fact that mass media campaign has a big role in enhancing the normal passive case finding strategy by reaching a large population at a time and it provides information regarding on earliest symptoms, cause, and transmission, prevention, and treatment modalities.…”

“…This finding was in line with the finding from EDHS 2011 (44.14%) (17). However, the finding was lower than a study conducted in Lesotho (59.9%) (21)and Zimbabwe (73.8%) (22). This could be due to almost all (98.3%) of respondents in Lesotho and 93% in Zimbabwe had formal education.…”

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Disease in North-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

“…In our study prevalence of HIV was 5.1% and 10.5% of patients dead. This prevalence of HIV in our series is the same with Yifeng Lu HIV prevalence observed in Bukavu [25], so lower than the HIV-TB coinfection rate reported in Lesotho [33], Nigeria [34], Tanzania [35] and Cape Town [36]. In North-Kivu context, HIV status could be caused by sexual violence, unprotected and early sexually acquired.…”

The role of mass media exposure on Tuberculosis knowledge and attitude among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Northwest Ethiopia

“…This nding was in line with the nding from EDHS 2011 (44.14%) (17). However, the nding was lower than a study conducted in Lesotho (59.9%) (22)and Zimbabwe (73.8%) (23). This could be due to almost all (98.3%) of respondents in Lesotho and 93% in Zimbabwe had formal education.…”