Health Science Journal

Keywords

TB; Knowledge; Program; Significant; Center

Introduction

Tuberculosis is the second-most common cause of death from infectious disease (after those due to HIV/AIDS) [1]. Roughly one-third of the world's population has been infected with M. tuberculosis [2]. With new infections occurring in about 1% of the population each year [3]. However, most infections with M. tuberculosis do not cause TB disease [4], and 90-95% of infections remain asymptomatic [5]. In 2012, an estimated 8.6 million chronic cases were active [6]. In 2010, 8.8 million new cases of TB were diagnosed and 1.20–1.45 million deaths occurred, most of these occurring in developing countries [7,8]. Of these 1.45 million deaths, about 0.35 million occur in those also infected with HIV [9]. China has achieved particularly dramatic progress, with about an 80% reduction in its TB mortality rate between 1990 and 2010 [9]. The number of new cases has declined by 17% between 2004– 2014 [10]. Tuberculosis is more common in developing countries; about 80% of the population in many Asian and African countries test positive in tuberculin tests, while only 5– 10% of the US population test positive [11]. Hopes of totally controlling the disease have been dramatically dampened because of a number of factors, including the difficulty of developing an effective vaccine, the expensive and timeconsuming diagnostic process, the necessity of many months of treatment, the increase in HIV-associated tuberculosis, and the emergence of drug-resistant cases in the 1980s [12]. The rates of TB vary with age. In Africa, it primarily affects adolescents and young adults [13]. However, in countries where incidence rates have declined dramatically (such as the United States), TB is mainly a disease of older people and the immune compromised (risk factors are listed above) [14]. Worldwide, 22 "high-burden" states or countries together experience 80% of cases as well as 83% of deaths [10]. The aim of this study to identify the knowledge of people about the TB disease in the health center and to find out any relationships between demographic characteristic and knowledge of people.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at one of the health centers of Baghdad Health Department in Al-Rusafa in the Sheikh Omar area for the period from January to 2018. The sample size was 150 people who reviewed the center for treatment and diagnosis. This health center is a public center that provides services for women, children and the elderly. It also has a special section for men. Samples were collected through a pre-prepared questionnaire containing demographic information and the interview was conducted directly with the auditor. The data analysis through descriptive (frequency, percent, p- value).

Results

Out of 150 participants, 107/150 (71.3%) still in the age groups 20-24 years, the female cases 79/150 (52.7%) were higher more than the male cases 71/150 (47.3%). Regarding the distribution of the visitors to the sections of the center, the highest percentage 42/150 (28%) of the vaccine room followed by the physician room 34/150 (22.7%). The table shows that the highly significant relationship have been found between the scientific department and overall knowledge assessments p=0.004 (Table 1).

Table 1 Relationship among socio-demographical characteristics variables and overall knowledge assessments.

CS: Cross Sectional Study, P: P-value, NS: Non-significant, HS: Highly Significant

Regarding of marital status, there is no any relation between the marital status and overall knowledge assessment at the value <0.05. For monthly income, the highest percentage was 48% for those with a moderate income. Also, in this the table shows that there is no relationship between the income and knowledge assessment at the value <0.05 (Table 2).

Table 2 Relationship among socio-demographical characteristics variables and overall knowledge assessments.

CS: Cross Sectional Study, P: P-value, NS: Non-significant, HS: Highly Significant

Discussion

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality and Viet Nam ranks 12 among the 22 high-TB burden countries [15]. In this study we found 71.3% of samples in the age groups 20-24 years with compared with results in Viet Nam 44.9% [15], in Bangladesh 61.7% [16], this refers to the deterioration of the health situation due to the wars, resulting lack of attention to the health aspect and the lack of medicines. Significant differences in TB organ manifestation in association with season, sex and age suggest different pathophysiological mechanisms of disease development [17]. In our study 52.7% of samples were female, other results found in Malaysia 27.7% [18], in Taiwan 54.4% [19] in India 66.8% [20], this indicate that the difference in lifestyle between countries and most countries suffer from poverty. In our study, 80.7% of samples were single compared with results found in Mexico 92.4% [21]; this refers to the different customs and traditions between the two countries. TB patients and their households are characterized by increasingly lower employment income, lower employment rate and higher dependency on public transfer, but the socio/economic deterioration is rather a risk factor for TB [22]. In this study 48% were moderate monthly income, other results found in Denmark 53% [23], in Sudan 14.9% [24], this is due to the difference in the standard of living between countries and most of limited income families as well as unemployment and lack of opportunities for work (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Relationship among socio-demographical characteristics variables and overall knowledge assessments.

Conclusion

We conclude that the half the number of participants are in the age groups 20-24 years; and mostly were females; single; had a moderate monthly income. Highly significant relationship have been found between the department and overall knowledge assessments at the p=0.004. No significant relationship have been found between the age groups, gender, marital status and monthly income with the overall knowledge assessments at the p-value=0.145, p=0.750, p=0.073, p=0.777.

Recommendation

We need to build the communication strategies like training, timely dissemination of information of policy changes and one-to-one dialogue with private practitioners to dispel misconceptions may enhance TB notification. Trust building strategies like providing feedback about referred cases from private sector, health personnel visit or a liaison private doctor may ensure compliance to public health activities. In addition, educational programs should be carried out to create awareness among the at-risk groups.

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