ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis is described as a global emergency and it is found more in
developing countries. For this reason, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was
conducted among TB patients seen at District Hospital Enugu Ezike, Enugu
State. The objectives of the study were: to assess the level of knowledge of the
respondents about the cause of tuberculosis, to assess the level of knowledge of
preventive practices on tuberculosis among the respondents and to assess the
level of knowledge of community treatment facilities among the respondents.
Methods:
This was a study among 360 patients in District Hospital Enugu Ezike in Enugu
state. Designed questionnaires were administered by trained interviewers to
obtain information about their perception of cause, prevention and treatment for
TB.
Results:
About 56.7% of the respondents were not aware of the cause of TB. 44.4% of
the respondents got the knowledge about TB through the health workers. Up to
83.3% of the patients could mention at least one sign or symptom of TB
correctly. Also, 71.7% of the respondents stated that TB could be prevented by
proper disposal of sputum while 68.9% were aware that sneezing and coughing
without covering the nose and mouth enhances the spread of TB. The result also
shows that only 15.3% sought for treatment from hospitals/health centres on
noticing the first sign of TB while majority went elsewhere (chemist shop and
herbalist) until their condition got worse before they went to hospitals. Majority
(93.3%) of the respondents indicated that orthodox medicine was better for
treating TB while 93.9% stated that TB could be totally cured. Only18.1% were
aware of a vaccine against TB while 32.5% were in support of immunizing
children against TB. 74.4% of the respondents indicated that they were aware
that there is a TB treatment centre in their community. About 63.6% stated that
they travel for more than 5km before they could access TB treatment.
The Pearson’s chi-square used in testing null hypotheses I, II and III indicated
values of 0.299, 0.287and 0.372 respectively. These results were greater than
the statistically significant differences at 0.05 level of significance, therefore the
null hypotheses I, II and III all were accepted.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that there were a high level of awareness of the symptoms,
prevention, as well as curability of TB, the same cannot be said about causation.
Awareness about availability of TB vaccine was poor. This study has therefore
demonstrated the need for more health education programmes especially
through the media that would improve and sustain the people’s awareness aboutvthe TB scourge.
CHRISTOPHER, A (2021). Patients’ Perception Of Etiology, Prevention And Treatment For Tuberculosis, A Survey Of Tuberculosis Patients Seen At A Rural District Hospital In Enugu State. Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/patients-perception-of-etiology-prevention-and-treatment-for-tuberculosis-a-survey-of-tuberculosis-patients-seen-at-a-rural-district-hospital-in-enugu-state
CHRISTOPHER, ABUGU "Patients’ Perception Of Etiology, Prevention And Treatment For Tuberculosis, A Survey Of Tuberculosis Patients Seen At A Rural District Hospital In Enugu State" Afribary. Afribary, 20 May. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/patients-perception-of-etiology-prevention-and-treatment-for-tuberculosis-a-survey-of-tuberculosis-patients-seen-at-a-rural-district-hospital-in-enugu-state. Accessed 06 Nov. 2024.
CHRISTOPHER, ABUGU . "Patients’ Perception Of Etiology, Prevention And Treatment For Tuberculosis, A Survey Of Tuberculosis Patients Seen At A Rural District Hospital In Enugu State". Afribary, Afribary, 20 May. 2021. Web. 06 Nov. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/patients-perception-of-etiology-prevention-and-treatment-for-tuberculosis-a-survey-of-tuberculosis-patients-seen-at-a-rural-district-hospital-in-enugu-state >.
CHRISTOPHER, ABUGU . "Patients’ Perception Of Etiology, Prevention And Treatment For Tuberculosis, A Survey Of Tuberculosis Patients Seen At A Rural District Hospital In Enugu State" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 06, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/patients-perception-of-etiology-prevention-and-treatment-for-tuberculosis-a-survey-of-tuberculosis-patients-seen-at-a-rural-district-hospital-in-enugu-state