Perception of tuberculosis among general patients of tertiary care hospitals of Bengal

Abstract

Introduction:Tuberculosis is a public health problem in India. The patients of Tuberculosis hide their disease from family, relatives, and community due to the presence of stigma. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, awareness, and perception regarding social variables of tuberculosis among patients and to associate the awareness with their literacy status.Materials and Methods:Type of study was observational, descriptive, and epidemiological. Study design was cross-sectional. Study setting was general out-patient department of tertiary care hospitals of West Bengal. Sample size was 464 (Four hundred sixty four) patients. The collected data were tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted by proper statistical methods (by percentage and Z test).Results:60.34% of study population was male. More than one third was illiterate (37.93%). Majority (91.38%) had heard about tuberculosis (TB). Correct answer on cause (infection) was responded by 16.81% patients. About 72.41% had heard about TB from an informal contact. The correct response on mode of spread of TB was told by 31.47% patients. About 62.07% correctly answered that cough was the commonest symptom. 82.76% knew about curability of the disease. Isolation of patient (08.62%) and avoidance of sharing of food (06.03%) were reported as preventive measures. The literacy status had a significant influence on awareness about TB.Conclusion:An attempt could be made in future to improve awareness among illiterates to remove myths and misconceptions, to allay the social stigma attached with it, to decrease TB transmission.

A Study on Knowledge of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and DOTS among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in West Tripura District, India

“…The present study conducted among 220 pulmonary tuberculosis patients revealed that majority of the patients had heard of tuberculosis prior to acquiring it; and the major source of information were community and health personals followed by media. This is consistent with a study conducted in Bengal by Das P et al 5 which showed that 91.30 percent of the patients had the acquaintance prior to acquiring the disease and the source of information was mostly from community. Again in another study conducted in Vietnam 6 93 percent of the patients had information regarding tuberculosis from health worker followed by media.…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Tuberculosis Among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in a Rural Area of West Bengal

“…13,14 Moreover, lack of awareness can worsen the epidemiological situation by increasing drug resistant patients, who may increase the risk of infection with drug-resistant bacilli. 12 Literature review revealed that some studies in India have been done to understand the knowledge and awareness about TB both in patient [15][16][17] and in general populations. 18,19 However, to best of our knowledge, study related to knowledge and awareness about TB among TB patients of rural areas of West Bengal is yet to be made.…”

Knowledge and Awareness of Tuberculosis among Patients Attending Out-Patient Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…[6] The main reason for social stigma in India is lack of knowledge and awareness about the disease per se. [7] Therefore to achieve the goal/ objective of RNTCP the need for creating awareness about etiology, symptoms, mode of spread and source of infection etc. is needed.…”

“…A study done in Bengal revealed only 2% of general population in hospital knew about DOTS. [17] Considering the curability of the disease only 53.10% thought that TB is curable. A similar study done in Serbia reported that 86% thought TB is curable and another study at Rajasthan said 90% were in view of TB being a curable disease.…”