Knowledge is the most powerful tool in the fight against tuberculosis

Abstract

Introduction: In October 2022, after almost two years, tuberculosis reclaimed its first place as the world's deadliest infectious disease, replacing COVID-19. Since knowledge is the most powerful tool to combat any disease, the primary goal of our study was to assess patients' knowledge of tuberculosis and its relationship to their socio-demographic status. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 1,067 respiratory patients who were surveyed between November 2021 and June 2022 at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina (Serbia). They completed a questionnaire designed for this study. Results: The majority of patients (53.7%) were female; over two-thirds (70.8%) were ≥ 60 years; every fifth (23.2%) was either with or without primary school; every third (33.3%) was financially poor. Although the majority of patients (97.8%) were aware that tuberculosis is an infectious disease, only 44.2% knew the etiology. Around 3/4 (72.6%) were aware of a tuberculosis vaccine. Hospitalized patients had better knowledge that the vaccine helps prevent tuberculosis than ambulatory patients (p = 0.047). Only 16% of patients in both groups knew that tuberculosis incidence is decreasing in Serbia (p = 0.074). Good knowledge about tuberculosis was reported by 71.5%. Hospitalized patients showed better knowledge than ambulatory patients (p = 0.032). Patients with a higher level of education and higher monthly income were independent predictors of better knowledge of tuberculosis. Conclusions: The study underlines the need to promote knowledge about tuberculosis, particularly among chronic patients, socially vulnerable and refugees, especially in light of the pandemic and emerging economic problems in the region.

Mycosome-Coated Gold Nanoparticles for Plasmonic Detection of Tuberculosis-Associated Antibodies

“…2 Featuring this situation is tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial disease that following the decline of COVID-19 deaths, has regained the status as the world's most deadly disease caused by a single pathogen. 3 It is estimated that 10.6 million people developed TB in 2022, nearly 3 million of whom were never diagnosed. 4 TB is considered one of the six tracer conditions for the assessment of the global burden of disease, 2 and the development of rapid diagnostic tools is considered a public health priority.…”

“…Contrasting with this, the potential of nanotechnologies to address other epidemies has been largely neglected; many communicable diseases are currently subdiagnosed, which leads to treatment delays and their consequent spread . Featuring this situation is tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial disease that following the decline of COVID-19 deaths, has regained the status as the world’s most deadly disease caused by a single pathogen . It is estimated that 10.6 million people developed TB in 2022, nearly 3 million of whom were never diagnosed .…”

Adherence, Disease Control, and Misconceptions Related to the Use of Inhalation Therapy in Patients with Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Low levels of control of these diseases, as well as higher rates of absenteeism from work and school, irrational use of healthcare services, and higher rates of morbidity and mortality, are all strongly correlated with inadequate patient cooperation regarding the regular use of inhalation therapy [ 12 , 13 ]. However, the results of previous research worldwide often indicate a low level of patient awareness regarding the method of administration, therapeutic effects, and potential side effects of inhalation medications [ 14 , 15 ]. As a result of insufficient awareness, negative attitudes and misconceptions toward regular inhalation therapy are not uncommon in the population of patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases: patients often cite fear of the addictive potential of inhalation medication and fear of possible adverse effects of the medication [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], but negative perception can sometimes lead to a loss of independence or discomfort in social situations [ 20 ].…”