Journal of Clinical Respiratory Diseases & Care: Open Access

Knowledge about Tuberculosis among Brazilians

Abstract

Lucas Scárdua Silva, Jhulia Gabriela Duarte de Sousa, Luísa Oliveira de Paiva, Orlando Roberto, Leonardo Filipini Pinheiro and Marcelo Fouad Rabahi

Background: Tuberculosisis an infectious disease responsible for 1.5 million deaths, worldwide, per year. Low levels of knowledge about TB are globally associated with a higher prevalence of latent TB infection and a low rate of treatment success. This study aimed to evaluate the level of TB knowledge of individuals at a recreational center in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Methods: We conducted 573 written structured interviews on recreational center frequentersin February and March, 2013, which included five close-ended questions and one open-ended question concerning TB. Data were analyzed with Epi Info 3.5.2. Results: Percentages of patients who answered questions correctly were: 96.3% knew about TB (Q1); 48.5% knew that TB is caused by a bacterial infection (Q2); 73.8% knew that TB can be transmitted to people in contact with infected people (Q3); 75.4% knew that TB can be transmitted via air or droplets (saliva) (Q4); 85.5% knew that the main symptom of TB is cough (Q5); and 96.1% knew that TB is a curable disease (Q6). Conclusion: Overall, a quarter of the population was not aware of the main symptoms, transmission mode, and transmissibility of TB. In order to control TB infection and prevent its spread, emphasis should be placed on increasing awareness of this disease among individuals.