Knowledge, attitudes and practices of newly diagnosed sputum positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis

Lack of awareness of risk posed to the community by a sputum positive case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) is an impediment in the control of Tuberculosis. A study involving 212 newly diagnosed sputum positive patients aged 15 years or more, revealed that only 9% of the patients knew correctly the cause of PTB. Knowledge about mode of spread of the disease was not known to 49% of patients. Awareness regarding the investigations like chest X-ray and sputum examination was high as 70% but utility of sputum examination was known to only 29% of the patients. Awareness of harmful sequelae of inadequate and incomplete treatment was as high as 93% but knowledge per se of adequate duration of treatment was poor in a half (50%) of the subjects. Attitude towards domiciliary treatment was generally positive (88%) Practices regarding safe sputum disposal and preventive measures practised in the families were poor in nearly two third's of patients. Health education efforts need to be strengthened to create better awareness of these important aspects of tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment and control.