Saadia Ashraf, Fazli Wahab, Naveed Khan, Rukhsana Anwar, Hussain Ahmed, Mukhtiar Zaman.
Community Surgery of Knowledge and Attitude of Tuberculosis among Tuberculous patients and Their Attendants in a Rural Setup.
Pak J Chest Med Jan ;21(4):145-8.

Background: Tuberculosis is a common disease and health education is essential for the patients and their relatives for effective treatment of the index case and prevention of infection spread among the relatives and others. Objective & Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study in the catchment population of Emergency Satellite Hospital (ESH) Nahaqi,a TB diagnostic & treatment centre, to assess the impact of different DOTS treatment modalities on the knowledge about TB and attitude of the patients and their relatives. Results: Total of 133, 58 males and 75 females, patients and their attendants accepted the invitation to participate in the study. Fifty seven percent were currently taking TB treatment, 43 had taken treatment in the past whereas 33 had never suffered from TB. Out of 100 patients treated under DOTS program, 21, 25 and 54 had taken treatment under supervision of LHW, relative or self respectively. Ninety two percent of the TB patients had taken treatment regularly with no interruption and none have defaulted. Correct response for exact duration and free of cost availability of Anti Tuberculous treatment (ATT) was given by 93 and 98% of the study population. Though 84% had the adequate knowledge about spread of TB bacilli but 6, 11 and 9% still think that handshaking, sharing utensils and I/V injections are also routes for getting or spreading infection. Seventy four percent and 70% of the study population will visit doctor immediately if they develop joint pains or jaundice while taking ATT. Conclusion: Despite the use of different DOTS modalities in the study sample, the knowledge about the disease in the patients and relatives is satisfactory.

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