Knowledge of Adults Regarding Tuberculosis in Selected Rural Community

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) has existed for millennia and remains a major global health problem. According to WHO, (2015) TB causes ill-health in millions of people each year and in 2015 TB was one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, ranking above HIV/AIDS. Globally there were 10.4 million new TB cases and 1.4 million TB deaths in 2015.A timely diagnosis and correct treatment can cure TB patients. Objectives: Of the study were to assess the knowledge of adults regarding tuberculosis, to develop and administer an information booklet regarding tuberculosis to adults, to associate the knowledge of adults regarding tuberculosis with selected socio-demographic variables. Materials and Methods: The research approach adopted for this study was quantitative and non-experimental descriptive research design was used to collect data to assess the knowledge of adults regarding Tuberculosis. Analysis of the study consisted of section 1: Analysis of socio demographic variables, section 2: Analysis of knowledge scores of adults, section 3: Association of knowledge of adults regarding tuberculosis with selected socio demographic variable. Results: The study revealed that 77% of the adults had poor level of knowledge while 23% of the adults had only average knowledge regarding tuberculosis.  45% of adults were in the age group of 51-60 years and 20% were in 30-40 years age group. Among the participants, 55% were males and 45% were females, 42% adults were living in nuclear family and 28% belonged to extended family, 42% of adults were having primary education whereas only 7% were graduated and above. Conclusion: The knowledge regarding Tuberculosis was found to be poor among adults living in rural communities. Association was found between the religion of the adults and their knowledge scores. There was no significant association found between other demographic variables of the adults with their knowledge scores regarding tuberculosis.