Perception of tuberculosis in Pakistan: findings of a nation-wide survey

Objective: To assess knowledge about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, transmission, and impact of tuberculosis in Pakistan. Methods: This nationwide survey was carried out by face to face interviews with 2742 men and women from December 2009 to June 2010. Multiple stage random area probability sampling was used for this purpose. Trained interviewers conducted interviews using structured questionnaire focusing knowledge, diagnosis, treatment, and impact of TB. Data was weighted to correspond with census distribution of population across rural and urban areas of all four provinces. SPSS 10 was used for data analysis. Results: Ninety percent (2478) of the respondents were familiar with the term TB. Common symptoms associated by respondents were cough (59%), haemoptysis (51%) and fever (40%). Majority (61%) mentioned that TB can be diagnosed by clinical examination by a doctor, 45% laboratory analysis of sputum, and 33% Xray chest as a diagnostic modality. Ninety-three percent were of the opinion that TB is treatable; 90% were in favour of treatment by doctor, and 16% by homeopathic or hakim treatment. About 91% favoured to continue TB treatment according to doctor's advice, 4% thought it can be stopped within 1-2 months of resolution of symptoms, while 73% regarded TB as a communicable disease. More than 33% respondents considered that TB affects education, occupation, getting married, and having children. Conclusion: Pakistani population has deficient knowledge and misconceptions regarding symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and impact of TB.