Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis among senior secondary school students

To evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis among Nigerian senior secondary school students.

Questionnaire.

Ilorin Grammar School, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Seven hundred and ninety one senior secondary students.

Questionnaire explained in English to whole class by author.

Responses were streamlined and analysed based on responders, knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices as regards tuberculosis.

KNOWLEDGE: The response "Yes", "No", or "I don't know" was given to each of the following questions and their respective percentages are indicated: Have you ever heard of tuberculosis?: 81.4%, 13.9%, 4.7%. Have you ever been affected by it?: 8.3%, 86.3%, 5.3%. Can tuberculosis of the lung be contracted through drinking unclean water or eating unhygienic food?: 72.3%, 17.2%, 10.5%. Can it spread through air droplets?: 70.9%, 17.8%, 11.3%. Can it spread through overcrowding?: 71.6%, 18.1%, 10.4%. Is it caused by spirits, demons or evil doers?: 16.2%, 67.5%, 16.3%. Is it the only cause of long-standing cough?: 43.6%, 40.2%, 16.2%. Can it cause persistent fever?: 64.6%, 19.8%, 15.5%. Can it cause loss of weight?: 79.6%, 11.9%, 8.5%. Tuberculosis only affects the lungs?: 46.3%, 39.1%, 14.7%. Can it be cured at all?: 76.7%, 12.1%, 11.1%. Should the patient always be admitted to the hospital to receive treatment?: 69.7%, 9.7%, 20.6%. Can the disease be prevented?: 89.2%, 0.9%, 11.9%. Heaf or Mantoux test is dangerous?: 15.8%, 13.3%, 71.6%. Patients who are already on effective treatment (drugs) can still spread the disease?: 50.2%, 25.3%, 24.5%. Patients who have been cured can still spread the disease?: 33.5%, 49.6%, 16.9%. Should patients with tuberculosis be regarded as outcasts?: 40.1%, 38.9%, 21%. Can BCG vaccination prevent tuberculosis?: 57.6%, 18.6%, 23.8%. Can cigarette smoking predispose to tuberculosis of the lungs?: 66%, 15.8%, 18.1%. ATTITUDES: The responses on how tuberculosis can be cured are as follows: By making sacrifice to appease the angry spirits or demons 3%; by begging the evil doers 2.3%; by taking drugs prescribed by doctors 69.7%; by taking traditional medicines 4.8%; by a combination of all the above 20.1%. PRACTICES: On prevention of tuberculosis, 51 different methods are volunteered of which 41.2% are correct, 19.6% are controversial while 39.2% are definitely incorrect.

A high level of ignorance, wrong knowledge, wrong attitudes and wrong practices is demonstrated among senior secondary students. Inclusion of health education in school syllabi is advocated.