A study on awareness about national tuberculosis programmes and antitubercular drugs among final year MBBS students in a tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru

Introduction: National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) aims at the elimination of tuberculosis. There are few modifications in the diagnosis, treatment and follow up protocol. Objective: To assess the awareness about National Tuberculosis Programmes and Antitubercular drugs among final year MBBS students. Materials and Methods: This is a questionnaire-based study, performed among 179 final year MBBS students. Questionnaire consisted of 15 questions framed by referring standard textbooks and official website for Tuberculosis. Results: Most of the participants were aware about the most common symptom of Pulmonary TB, first line antitubercular drugs and their common side effects. Only 24.58% of the participants responded correctly regarding the properties of Delamanid but 60.33% were aware about the new drug Bedaquiline. Question on Nikshay portal was answered by 88.26% of the participants, 85.47% were aware about sputum collection for AFB testing and 94.7% were aware about facilities provided at DOTS centre. Also, 83% of the participants responded that they are aware of the NTEP programme. But, only 51% were aware of the aim of NTEP, 12.75% were aware of new guidelines regarding the use of streptomycin, 18.79% were aware about the categorisation of TB treatment under NTEP, 32.88% were aware about the modification in INH prophylaxis. Conclusion: It can be concluded by the present study that majority of the participants were aware about the basics of tuberculosis symptoms, diagnosis and first line drugs. Most participants are aware of the Launching of NTEP programme, but they need further updating sessions. Keywords: Bedaquiline Delamanid National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)