Tuberculosis awareness among educated public in two cities in Tamil Nadu.
Rajeswari Ramachandran; Diwakara, A.M.; Sudha Ganapathy; Sudarsanam, N.M.; Rajaram, K.; Prabhakar, R.
Lung India; 1995; 13; 108-113.
A questionnaire on source of information regarding tuberculosis, signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment duration and personal and community hygiene relating to tuberculosis, was administered to 446 students and employees with an educational status of high school certificate and above.
The main source of information were books and magazines and 86% were aware that the tuberculosis germ was the causative agent. Symptoms of tuberculosis such as cough (85%) and loss of weight (74%) were well known. Other symptoms such as chest pain (29%), fever (27%) were less known. Sputum examination as a diagnostic tool was known to 68% while 80% knew about radiograph being used to diagnose the disease. Cough as a method of spread was known to 91%. In this questionnaire the duration of treatment was the least known fact. 28% felt that treatment could be stopped if symptoms disappeared. 16% were aware that the method of sputum disposal was by incineration. The implications are discussed.
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