ASSESSMENT OF DRUG-SUSCEPTIBLE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS INPATIENTS’ KNOWLEDGE ON TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Objective. Lithuania remains one of the countries with the highest prevalence of multidrug – resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in WHO European Region. Raising awareness about tuberculosis (TB) infection is necessary to helping prevent the spread. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge regarding pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among the PTB patients and to identify the factors determining the knowledge. Methodology. A crosssectional study was conducted among inpatients in Tuberculosis Clinic of Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno klinikos, Lithuania. An interview with a questionnaire was performed, a total of 84 PTB patients were interviewed. Results. Respondents older than 60 years had poorer knowledge about TB (p = 0.019), as well as did the patients with only primary education (p = 0.008). The majority of respondents had mid-satisfactory or unsatisfactory knowledge regarding TB. 57.6% of patients refused to believe that PTB is curable. Conclusions. Health education programme targeted on high-risk groups is necessary to raise awareness about TB. Such awareness campaign could increase the patients’ general awareness about the disease and the developement of MDR-TB.