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A Study of Sociodemographic Profile, Awareness and Knowledge about Tuberculosis in Patients of Tuberculosis at Dots Centre

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, is the second leading infectious cause of death in world. The study was carried out in the DOTS centre in Coimbatore region.Material and Methods: It was a cross – sectional observational, descriptive epidemiological study. This study was a humble effort to throw light on sociodemographic profile, knowledge and awareness regarding TB among patients with TB. Results and Discussion: A total of 300 patients were included in the study. Majority of the cases (31.66%) belongs to the age groups of 21-40 years. Out of 300 patients, 223 (74.33%) of patients had aware on the aetiology of tuberculosis. Most of the patients 210 (70.00%) were aware of fact that Tuberculosis could be transmitted from one person to another person via coughing and close contact. About 196 (65.33%) of patients had the knowledge about the importance of BCG vaccine for Tuberculosis. Conclusion: Apart from pharmacological treatment, poor knowledge of TB among patients on TB also needs great attention.


INTRODUCTION
Tuberculosis is the first infectious disease reported by the world health organisation as a global threat to health. According to the experts in world health organisation every other person in the world is infected with tuberculosis and 5% of them will develop the disease in the next 5 years, unless they are diagnosed and properly treated.
A case of untreated smear positive TB can infect up to 15 people annually and more than 20 people during the natural course of untreated disease. The basic ways of setting control of tuberculosis are early diagnosis of the infected and bacillus secretors, adequate treatment, regular BCG vaccination, as well as raising health awareness and knowledge of the disease.
The revised national tuberculosis control programme (RNTCP), based on the internatinoally recommended directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy, was launced in 1997 and achieved a nation wide coverage by march 2006. The RNTCP provides free diagnostic services and treament to benefit the poor and vulnerable groups of society.
Few studies conducted to know about the awareness of TB found that awareness and knowledge vary from place to place. A study regarding awareness about TB conducted in Surat, a region in south gujarat, India, showed 80% people know about symptoms of TB. Another study conducted by Indian chest society showed that 84% subjects were aware of the free treatment available for TB under national program. This study was a humble effort to throw light on sociodemographic profile, knowledge and awareness regrading TB among patients with TB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was carried out in the DOTS Centre in Coimbatore region. It was a cross-sectional observational, descriptive epidemiological study. The study was carried out from July 2015 to December 2016. Patients were interviewed at a time when they visited out patients department. Patients were informed about the purpose of the study and their informed written consent was taken and then they were asked questions regarding knowledge and awareness about TB. The data such as demographic details such as name, age, sex, literacy, mode of transmission, etiology and prevention of TB was prepared as study tool and tested. Patient were categorized to receive category I DOTS for newly detected cases and category II DOTS for patients who were previously treated.

Exclusion Criteria
 Not willing to participate.  Patients know case of cancer.

Statistical Analysis
 The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 soft ware chi-square test were used for compared proportions.

Distribution of patient according to their socio demographic profile
A total of 300 patients were included in the study. The patients are divided in to four groups viz 0-20 years, 21-40 years, 41-60 years, and above 60 years. Majority of the cases (31.66%) belongs to the age groups of 21-40 years.
Out of total 300 patients, in which females 145 (48.33%) were found to be having a slightly lesser number of incidences than males 155 (51.66%) in the ratio of 1:1.06.

Distribution of patient according to knowledge and awareness about TB
Most of the patients 210 (70.00%) were aware of fact that Tuberculosis could be transmitted from one person to another person via coughing and close contact. 52 (17.33%) of patients were believe that food and water is mode of transmission. Only 11 (03.66%) were unaware about mode of transmission.

DISCUSSION
Knowledge and awareness regarding various aspects of tuberculosis are very important among the masses to curb it. The mass survey carried out by health government of India reported poor level of awareness among disadvantaged section of the society.
In this study, most of the patients 210 (70.00%) were aware of fact that tuberculosis could be transmitted from one person to another person via coughing and close contact. Only 11 (3.60%) were unaware about mode of transmission. In study conducted by Ehtisham Ahmad et al., revealed that about half of the study subjects were unaware the mode of spread.

CONCLUSION
Apart from pharmacological treatment, poor knowledge of TB among patients on TB also needs great attention. Health education session on TB should be tailored according to the sociodemographic characteristics of the population with special focus on young age group, illiterate and poor people. Therefore as a medical practitioner and health care service provider, it is essential to have full knowledge and positive attitude regarding tuberculosis.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.