Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in India since centuries. The general public do not have adequate knowledge about TB. The patients also conceal the disease from family, relatives, and friends owing to the stigma attached to it.
Objective: To identify the knowledge and awareness regarding various variables of TB among patients attending general medicine outpatient department of a tertiary-care hospital in Kollam, Kerala, and to associate the awareness level with their literacy status.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study done among patients attending general medicine outpatient depart- ment of a tertiary-care hospital in Kollam, Kerala. The study tool was a predesigned and pretested schedule, containing close-ended questions. The sample size was calculated as 400. The sampling technique was systematic random sampling. Informed verbal consent was taken. The study technique was exit interview. Data were entered in MS Excel and 2 analyzed by the statistical package SPSS software, version 16.0. The χ -test was applied. Result: About 80% of the study population was aware of the infectious etiology of TB. About 43.75% thought it affects all ages. The source of knowledge was mostly from the family (49.5%). Around 60% considered cough as an important symptom. Only 13.75% subjects knew about directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) center. The literacy status showed a significant influence on awareness level of TB. Conclusion: The awareness about TB among general patients was average. A lot of health education and awareness drive is necessary to impart knowledge regarding diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of TB, which is necessary for curbing the menace of TB from the society.