TUBERCULOSIS

Objective: To assess the awareness about spread and control of Tuberculosis amongst people presenting at Ghurki Trust Hospital, Lahore. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Place of study: Lahore Medical and Dental College (LMDC), Lahore, Period: From November and December 2006. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among people presenting at Ghurki Trust Hospital, Lahore, between November and December 2006. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were determined in terms of percentages. Results: In the present study, 82% respondents did not know the correct mode of transmission of tuberculosis. Correct modes of transmission including coughing, sneezing, spitting and breathing air were mentioned only by 18%. A large proportion of respondents (76%) knew that tuberculosis presents as cough lasting more than three (3) weeks and having prolonged fever (68%). Fifty percent of respondents said that government health facilities are the best places for the treatment of TB. Twenty three percent (23%) of respondent mentioned use of medicine as a method of management and treatment. Improving sanitation and nutrition was mentioned to prevent and control TB by respondents in almost equal percentage (20% & 18%). Conclusion: Poor knowledge and misconceptions concerning tuberculosis are rampant in Pakistani patients. Poor knowledge of TB patients concerning their disease may contribute to the high burden of TB disease in the country.