<p>Health literacy and knowledge related to tuberculosis among outpatients at a referral hospital in Lima, Peru</p>

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis (TB) case detection in Peru relies on passive case finding. This strategy relies on the assumption that the community is aware that a persistent cough or contact with a TB patient is an indication to seek formal health care. This study evaluated health literacy and TB knowledge among outpatients at Hospital Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed between June and August 2017. Data on sociodemographic factors, TB knowledge, and health literacy were collected, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to study the associations between variables. Results The analysis included 272 participants; 57.7% knew someone who had TB and 9% had TB in the past. A 2-week cough was reported as a TB symptom by 66 (24%) participants. High TB knowledge was found among 149 (54.8%) participants and high health literacy was found among 193 (71.0%) participants. Health literacy and TB knowledge were not significantly associated (OR=0.9; 95% CI 0.5–1.5). After controlling for sex, age, district, education, health insurance, frequency of hospital visits, and previous TB diagnosis, high TB knowledge was associated with knowing someone with TB (aOR=2.7; 95% CI 1.6–4.7) and inversely associated with being a public transport driver (aOR=0.2; 95% CI 0.05–0.9). Not living in poverty was the single factor associated with high health literacy (aOR=3.8; 95% CI 1.6–8.9). Conclusion Although TB knowledge was fair, 30% did not know that cough is a symptom of TB and >70% did not know being in contact with a TB patient is a risk factor for TB. Tailoring educational strategies to at-risk groups may enhance passive case detection especially among transport workers and TB contacts in Lima, Peru.

‘They are inconveniencing us’ - exploring how gaps in patient education and patient centred approaches interfere with TB treatment adherence: perspectives from patients and clinicians in the Free State Province, South Africa

“…It appears that the needs of the clinician during the consultation, described as efficiently relaying information on TB treatment and adherence, were met. However, whether this information appropriately addressed the patients concerns and expectations appears only in the context of case-finding in the literature [55][56][57][58][59][60] and not on treatment outcomes in South Africa and globally. Similar findings from a previous study demonstrated that despite standardised guidelines effectively contributing to health coverage; ignoring the subjective biopsychosocial aspects of care particularly in rigid health systems resulted in 'dehumanising' the care process [25].…”

Toward patient-centered tuberculosis preventive treatment: preferences for regimens and formulations in Lima, Peru

“…Peru is a middle-income country with an estimated TB incidence of 123 per 100,000 population, placing it among the highest burden TB settings in the Americas [ 2 ], In Lima, despite widespread awareness of TB disease [ 15 ], many people lack accurate knowledge about TB [ 15 , 16 ]. Moreover, many household contacts of patients with TB are not aware of their increased risk of developing TB [ 16 ], and use of preventive treatment for contacts is suboptimal [ 17 – 19 ].…”

Toward patient-centered tuberculosis preventive treatment: preferences for regimens and formulations in Lima, Peru

“…Peru is a middle-income country with an estimated TB incidence of 123 per 100,000 population, placing it among the highest burden TB settings in the Americas. 2 In Lima, despite widespread awareness of TB disease, 14 many people lack accurate knowledge about TB. 14, 15 Moreover, many household contacts of patients with TB are not aware of their increased risk of developing TB, 15 and use of preventive treatment for contacts is suboptimal.…”

“…2 In Lima, despite widespread awareness of TB disease, 14 many people lack accurate knowledge about TB. 14,15 Moreover, many household contacts of patients with TB are not aware of their increased risk of developing TB, 15 and use of preventive treatment for contacts is suboptimal. [16][17][18] Preventive treatment in Peru is recommended for contacts of patients with drugsusceptible pulmonary TB.…”