ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about tuberculosis among patients registered in district tuberculosis center, Bhavnagar. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among New Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients registered in District Tuberculosis Centre, Bhavnagar during 1st January, 2009 to 30th April, 2009. Data collection was carried out between 1/05/2009 to 30/06/09 at 144 patients’ house with help of pre-tested structured questionnaire which comprised of socio-demographic variables and variables to assess the knowledge about tuberculosis. RESULTS: In our study, majority of the patients were male (70.1%) with the most commonly involved age group of 21 to 30 years (30.6%). Nearly one-third (31.9%) of the respondents were illiterate and 44% had received primary education. Only 6.9% of study subjects had correct knowledge about the cause of the disease. Knowledge regarding major symptoms was found in only 47% & knowledge about mode of transmission was found in only 30.6% of respondents. Majority of the respondents (97.2%) have a correct knowledge about the duration of treatment of Tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: In this study, majority of study subjects had poor knowledge about cause of tuberculosis, its mode of transmission & major symptoms while knowledge regarding the duration of treatment was found better among most of the respondents. Proper knowledge and education about tuberculosis is vital to cope the challenge of this devastating disease. DTC, being the main center providing treatment, can play a critical role to raise knowledge among the patients about tuberculosis & its prevention.