Educational status and awareness among tuberculosis patients of Karachi

To investigate and analyse patients' educational status and awareness regarding tuberculosis in the context of demographic distribution.

The survey-based study was conducted at Tuberculosis Diagnostic Centres in Karachi from March to October 2013. A predesigned questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. It was filled through face-to-face interviews. Data was anylsed using SPSS 20.

Of the 1260 respondents, 646(51.2%) were women and 614(48.7%) were men. Women were more affected by extra pulmonary tuberculosis (65%; n=123) compared to men (35%; n=65), while the reverse was the case for pulmonary tuberculosis, with men accounting for 52% (n=557) and women 48% (n=514). Pulmonary tuberculosis was prevalent in all age groups of both genders, but was most notable in the 11-30 years age group. Educational status of tuberculosis patients indicated men as being more educated with 52% (n=91) and 55% (n=258) for above and below secondary school certificate level or education respectively. The level of awareness and pursuance of precautionary measures was higher among literate males (58%; n=108 and 54%; n=347) compared to females at 42% (n=77) and 46% (n=296) respectively.

The findings may prove helpful in convincing the educated tuberculosis patients to reform their lifestyles in order to improve their living environments to prevent the spread of the infectious disease, thereby improving the quality of life in the city.