Assessment of knowledge regarding tuberculosis in the context of revised national tuberculosis control program among budding doctors

Abstract

Background: India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world with over 2 million incident cases (21% of the global burden). Future physicians should correctly diagnose, treat the cases to prevent the development of newer cases. Materials and Methods: The observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 among 172 interns. Study tool was an English language, pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Study variables were multiple including different aspects of TB knowledge. Then, data were collected from them. Finally, the collected data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted by proper statistical methods (by percentage). Results: The response rate was 88.4%; mean age was 23.8 (standard deviation ±1.5) years, ranged from 22 to 28 years. A majority of interns (65.4%) correctly identified droplet infection as the chief mode of transmission of pulmonary TB (PTB). Again 65.4% interns correctly mentioned coughing for 2 weeks or more as the most important symptom of PTB. Majority (91.0%) correctly responded sputum examination for acid fast bacilli for diagnosis. Only a few respondents (25.6%) were able to narrate correct categorization of TB. More than 3/4 th (76.9%) could correctly name all the five first line anti-TB drugs used in directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS). Conclusion: The most worrisome finding was the lack of proper knowledge about TB transmission. Poor level of knowledge can prevent the future medical practitioners from suspecting TB. The present study was found comparable with many other study findings. The respondents had moderate knowledge regarding treatment monitoring. There is an urgent need for the huge increase in awareness of DOTS among budding doctors.