Predictors of knowledge about tuberculosis: results from SANHANES I, a national, cross-sectional household survey in South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundSouth Africa is one of the 22 high tuberculosis burden countries that contribute 80 % of the global tuberculosis cases. Tuberculosis is infectious and due to its rapid and easy transmission route poses a threat to population health. Considering the importance of social and psychological factors in influencing health outcomes, appraising knowledge and awareness of tuberculosis, remain vital for effective tuberculosis control. The main aim of this study was to investigate the factors that predict knowledge about tuberculosis among 18–64 year old adults in South Africa.MethodsA cross-sectional survey method was used. Multi-stage disproportionate, stratified cluster sampling was used to select households within enumeration areas stratified by province and locality type. Based on the Human Sciences Research Council 2007 master sample, 500 Enumerator Areas representative of the socio-demographic profile of South Africa were identified and a random sample of 20 households was randomly selected from each Enumerator Area, yielding an overall sample of 10 000 households. The tuberculosis module contained in the South African National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey I was the only module that examined the social determinants of an infectious disease. This module was questionnaire-based with no biomarkers obtained to screen for the presence of tuberculosis disease among the participants. Data was collected by administering a researcher developed individual level questionnaire. Simple and multiple linear regression was used to determine the independent variables associated with tuberculosis knowledge.ResultsHalf the sample (52.6 %) was female and the majority of the respondents were black African (76.5 %). More than two thirds (68.0 %) resided in urban areas, 56.9 % did not complete high school and half were not in formal employment. Significant predictors of tuberculosis knowledge were race, sex, completion of high school, being in employment, having a diagnosis of the disease in ones’ life-time and learning about tuberculosis from television, brochures, health workers, and teachers.ConclusionsTo reduce the burden of tuberculosis in South Africa, media campaigns targeting both rural and urban communities should include conveying accurate information about the disease. Policy makers should also address structural barriers that vulnerable communities face.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2951-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Tuberculosis in Timor-Leste: Results From the Demographic and Health Survey 2016

“…Possible reasons for this finding include better media access to TB information [11]. Consistent with previous studies [8,11-14], this study found that men, higher education, higher wealth status, rural residence, and various sources of TB information, including family/friends, school/workplace, health care providers, Internet, radio, television and newspaper, were associated with higher TB knowledge scores. It is possible that among rural dwellers who were aware of TB, the ACSM community sensitization on TB treatment-seeking [18] contributed to better TB knowledge scores.…”

“…Agho et al [12] found that higher wealth status, higher education, urban residence, and higher exposure to media sources were associated with having ever heard of TB. Factors associated with TB knowledge may include younger age [9,12], men [9,13], higher education [8], higher economic status [8,9], rural residence [12], and learning about TB from television, brochures, health workers, and teachers [14]. Factors negatively associated with TB courtesy stigma may include older age [7], men [15], higher wealth status [7], and TB knowledge [7].…”

Study on knowledge about associated factors of Tuberculosis (TB) and TB/HIV co-infection among young adults in two districts of South Africa

“…We found good knowledge levels of TB transmission, cure and coexistence with HIV in the study. Elsewhere in a South African national community-based study[27], just as we found, almost three quarters were knowledgeable of TB. However, it is concerning that questions related to TB/HIV co-infections were the least correctly answered showing lower levels of HIV/TB integration awareness.…”

Rural South African Community Perceptions of Antibiotic Access and Use: Qualitative Evidence from a Health and Demographic Surveillance System Site

“…Community groups could also be established to discuss antibiotic stewardship and the impact of resistance, following principles developed in an urban township in Cape Town, in which patient adherence groups were found to be effective as a model of care. 68…”