Knowledge and attitude towards Tuberculosis amongsandstone quarry workers in desert parts of Rajasthan.

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study was conducted to test the knowledge and attitude of sand-stone quarry workers of Jodhpur on tuberculosis. Material and Methods: Nineteen sand-stone quarry sites were selected randomly in Jodhpur district from which 376 quarry workers were interviewed who consented to participate in the study. Results: Their literacy rate was 28.5%. More than half (50.5%) had heard about tuberculosis from neighbours followed by friends (42.6%) and family members (37.2%). Only 1.6% knew that tuberculosis was caused by germs and 45.2% respondents had misconception that TB was a hereditary disease. Literates were more aware than illiterates about symptoms of tuberculosis. Only 6.9% knew about the need of treatment for 6-8 months and 0.8% knew about the use of BCG vaccine for prevention of tuberculosis. Tendency to discriminate TB patients was evident as 72.6% respondents opined to isolate TB patients from the family and 80.6% opined to avoid sharing food with these patients. Conclusion: Extensive health education directed towards bringing a change in attitude among sandstone quarry workers is needed to create awareness and remove myths about tuberculosis in such groups of people in the community.