2024/07/13 by Adepoju, Abiola Victor, Etuk, Victoria, Adepoju, Oluwatoyin Elizabeth +4
#Awareness #Infectious Disease #Knowledge #Slums #Tuberculosis
paper · doi:10.60787/tnhj.v22i1.545
Background Understanding knowledge and awareness of TB will help in public health control programs in slums. The study aimed to determine awareness and knowledge of tuberculosis among urban slum dwellers, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted across six urban slums in Nigeria .A structured, pretested questionnaire was used to capture relevant information among adult participants seeking TB and other services. Domains identified were knowledge about TB symptoms, prevention, spread, Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS) treatment. Results Majority were 25-34 years (24.7%), males (65.8%), Christians (55.7%), married (73.7%), attained secondary education (37.8%), with 3-4 persons per household (41%) and 1-2 persons per room (44.5%).Two-third(59.7%) of the respondents have heard of TB, 41% have heard about DOTS. Only 27.2% were aware of a TB treatment facility; 41.6% knew that TB is free; 48.4% knew that TB is curable and only 31.5% knew who a presumptive TB patient is. The major source of information about TB treatment facility was from a Health care worker (48.9%) followed by Radio (20.4%).The predictors of good knowledge of symptoms of TB were male sex, older age >45years and having some education while the predictors of correct knowledge of how TB is spread were smokers, high income and older age >45years. Conclusion Knowledge of TB free treatment, curability and symptoms of TB and awareness of TB treatment facilities was poor and need to be emphasized during community education programs in slums. Policymakers need to prioritize social determinants of TB knowledge and services in slums.