Awareness of tuberculosis among patients attending rntcp at siddhartha medical college ,vijayawada

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is one of India's major public health problems. According to WHO estimates, India has the world's largest tuberculosis epidemic. Public awareness about its causative organism, modes of spread, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention plays an important role in TB control. The present study was carried out to assess awareness of Tuberculosis among patients attending tertiary care hospital (Siddhartha Medical College) Methodology: A cross sectional observational study was conducted among 100 patients taking treatment at Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada using a preformed questionnaire. The questionnaire contains sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, religion, literacy status, and knowledge about symptoms, mode of transmission, aetiology, Investigations, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis Results: Out of these 100 Patients 97% were aware that Tuberculosis is an infectious disease. Regarding symptoms only 69% identified cough more than 2 weeks as an important warning sign for Tuberculosis. Regarding investigations only 69% were aware that sputum test was done for diagnosis of Tuberculosis. Only 60% knew DOTS as treatment for Tuberculosis. Only 56% were aware that Tuberculosis is most common in HIV individuals. Conclusion: The current study revealed that although awareness regarding certain basic aspect of tuberculosis was adequate; however there is a great need to improve awareness about the symptoms and treatment of tuberculosis.