FACTORS AFFECTING KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND PRACTICE PARAMETERS OF TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN NORTH INDIA

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Knowledge, awareness, and practice parameters regarding tuberculosis (TB) are crucial factors for checking the spread of TB. We assessed the knowledge, awareness, and healthcare-related practices concerning TB among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and the factors influencing them. Methods: Two hundred patients with PTB comprising cases on treatment exceeding one month, new cases, and previously treated cases were assessed for the knowledge, awareness, and healthcare-related practice parameters regarding TB at a referral hospital in Uttarakhand in North India. Results: Forty-one percent of patients had good awareness, 42.5% had good knowledge whereas 45% had good healthcare-related practice scores regarding TB. Literacy status (p < 0.0001) and type of case (new/old) (p < 0.0001) were important determinants for awareness whereas residence (rural/urban) (p = 0.02), literacy status (p < 0.0001), socio-economic status (p = 0.001) and type of case (p = 0.0002) were important determinants for knowledge. Residence (p = 0.016), literacy status (p < 0.0001), socio-economic status (p = 0.040) and type of case (p = 0.030) were important determinants for healthcare-related practices. Literacy status (p = 0.037) and type of case (p < 0.0001) were independent predictors for awareness of TB whereas type of case (p = 0.025) was an independent predictor for knowledge. Literacy status (p = 0.006) was an independent predictor for healthcare-related practices. Conclusions: Knowledge, awareness, and healthcare-related practices regarding TB lack among the majority of patients with PTB and require urgent improvement to curtail the spread of TB. Literacy and type of case were important determinants of awareness, knowledge and healthcare-related practices.