TB knowledge and perception; trends: evidence from Pakistan

To uncover the trend regarding TB knowledge and perception of its transmission as well as underlining the socio demographics aspects associated with TB cure among the reproductive venerable women. Quantitative frame work along with inferential analysis have been carried out by using the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07 and 2012-13 of ever married women. Trend regarding TB awareness and its cure and treatment have been changed over time by 4.31% and 4.49% respectively in PDHS 2012 compared to PDHS 2006. Whereas an adequate knowledge of TB transmission thought air when coughing and sneezing remain constant after equating the two surveys. To understand the functional relationship of variables multinomial logistic regression analysis was carried out separately for PDHS 2006 and PDHS 2012. Two models revealed that early reproductive age group 15-19 of ever married women believed that TB cannot be curable compared to their counterparts upper age groups 45-49. Illiterate ever married women are more pronounced [OR=5.38 and OR=10.30] that TB is an incurable infectious disease compared to women having higher educational degree in PDHS 2006 and PDHS 2012 respectively. Location and geographical area of residence, wealth index, and media exposure have positive association about TB knowledge of cure and treatment. Although the awareness level improved but it still needs to launch some massive and wide-ranging awareness programme regarding an adequate knowledge of various diffusion modes of tuberculosis by utilizing all media modes predominantly television. Potential struggles are obligatory where the subordinate literacy rate and limited health care settings meticulousness in remote areas, so that the illness and death due to TB can be minimized