Vol. 7, Issue 2 (2018)

Author(s):
Md. Mehdi Hasan, Dr. Joytish Chandra Mondal, Md. Hasan and Md. Mehedi Hasan

Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern in Bangladesh. In this study, we assessed knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) towards TB among the general people in Bangladesh. A cross sectional mixed methods study was conducted between March and August 2017, where a total of four hundred adults were interviewed at Khulna city using a semi-structured questionnaire. Male and female distribution were 45.25% and 54.75%, respectively. In response to another question, 31.75% respondents said that one might get TB from being near a patient. The most common form of transmission mentioned was through saliva, usually by sharing cups or drinking glass (45.5%). 20.75% said that someone could get TB from smoking and/or drinking, 37.5% mentioned that TB was hereditary which came from generation to generation in a family, where 8.75% mentioned other ways of getting TB (for example from uncooked food, from working in factories, through sexual intercourse and from hard work). Multiple linear regression analysis of age, education, sex, marital status, level of education, religion, income level and occupation of the respondents were analyzed in the model. From multivariate regression analysis, it was observed that people with tertiary level of education were associated with higher TB knowledge and people having no income were associated with lower TB knowledge. Focus group participants discussed the knowledge about TB, different types of TB, their sign and symptoms and their mode of transmission etc. All the respondents reported a general lack of knowledge about TB amongst their neighbors. A lack of awareness was associated to delay in seeking treatment because people did not recognize the symptoms of tuberculosis. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve knowledge of TB among people having no income or even low income group and more attention also needs to be given to improve the perception of individuals amongst their neighbors in the present study area. The alertness campaigns for TB knowledge should be a major concern nationwide.