Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Tuberculosis and its Treatment Among Patients and Community in East Shoa Zone, Oromyia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Good public understanding of tuberculosis (TB), its cause, signs and symptoms, mode of transmissions and treatment is considered to be important for prompt health care seeking, adherence to treatment and reduction of stigma associated with the disease. The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of household heads and TB patients about TB and its treatment. A crosssectional survey where the KAP of the community and TB patients was carried out using an interviewer administered questionnaire and exit interview, respectively. Six rural and one urban Kebeles from Lume Woreda, and two hospitals and four health centres in East Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia were included in the study. Among 614 household heads interviewed, 31.0% knew that TB is caused by germs; 14.7% mentioned that ventilating the living room as a means to prevent TB; 33.0% believed that TB patients must always be admitted for treatment and 39.9% knew that Anti-TB drugs are freely dispensed. Traditional medicine and use of holy water were mentioned by 20.8% and 22.6% of the respondents respectively, as a cure for TB. Of 170 TB patients interviewed, 30.6% reported to have first visited private health institutions before they resorted to government health facilities; only 18.5% were under direct observation of health providers while swallowing anti-TB medicaments during the first two months of treatment. Around 53% of the patients reported that they were given adequate information about side effects of anti-TB drugs. The study revealed the need for basic health education especially in rural Ethiopia. Erroneous beliefs about traditional medicine and holy water should be changed through appropriate health education. Regular supportive supervision and on-the-job training programmes are required to improve patient support by the health workers in the studied areas.

Key words: knowledge, attitude, practice, tuberculosis, East Shoa