Level of knowledge regarding tuberculosis and stigma among patients suffering from tuberculosis

The goal of this study was to determine the degree of the tuberculosis awareness concerning medical aspects of tuberculosis and stigma toward the illness. The main focus was on the supervision of the health educative program effects on the tuberculosis throughout the identification of health needs; to determine demographical aspects associated with the level of knowledge (age, gender, living conditions, level of education etc.); to improve health education program efficacy through identification of health priorities. In the survey 155 tuberculosis patients aged 12-87 years old from different regions of Kosovo (89 females and 66 males) were included; 53.5% of patients were from rural region. Educational background: 11.6% illiterate patients; 39.4% of patients have completed primary and secondary education; 9.7% of patients were highly educated. The special questionnaire was composed and patients were interviewed. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions. For statistical processing Hi square-test, t-test and linear correlation were used. The investigation showed that level of knowledge regarding tuberculosis was satisfactory. The meaning of direct observational therapy was known to only 51% of patients. In general patients have been informed by the health staff. Stigma was obviously present in Kosovo. More vulnerable were patients without education background and from villages. Key need in global control of tuberculosis remains the adoption of DOTS (directly observed treatment, short course). Health education must be designed depending on target population for achievement of success in fighting and preventing tuberculosis.