Table 2.
TB knowledge among outpatients attending Hospital Cayetano Heredia, June–August, 2017
| TB knowledge (N=272) | Spontaneous n (%) | Elicited n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| How do you think one gets tuberculosis?a | ||
| Through the air, when someone with TB coughs/sneezes? | ||
| Yes | 89 (32.7) | 159 (58.5) |
| No | NAb | 24 (8.8) |
| From malnutrition? | ||
| Yes | 128 (47.1) | 123 (45.2) |
| No | NA | 21 (7.7) |
| From being in contact with an untreated person? | ||
| Yes | 76 (27.9) | 156 (57.4) |
| No | NA | 40 (14.7) |
| From being on public transport? | ||
| Yes | 13 (4.8) | 229 (84.2) |
| No | NA | 30 (11.0) |
| What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?c | ||
| Cough? | ||
| Yes | 191 (70.2) | 71 (26.1) |
| No | NA | 10 (3.7) |
| Fatigue and weakness? | ||
| Yes | 48 (17.7) | 203 (74.6) |
| No | NA | 21 (7.7) |
| Weight loss? | ||
| Yes | 74 (27.2) | 183 (67.3) |
| No | NA | 15 (5.5) |
| Fever? | ||
| Yes | 92 (33.8) | 117 (43.0) |
| No | NA | 63 (23.2) |
| Cough for two or more weeks? | ||
| Yes | 66 (24.3) | 188 (69.1) |
| No | NA | 18 (6.6) |
| Coughing sputum with blood? | ||
| Yes | 35 (12.9) | 158 (58.1) |
| No | NA | 79 (29.0) |
| Shortness of breath? | ||
| Yes | 7 (2.6) | 185 (68.0) |
| No | NA | 80 (29.4) |
| Night sweating? | ||
| Yes | 36 (13.2) | 154 (56.6) |
| No | NA | 82 (30.2) |
| Chest pain? | ||
| Yes | 11 (4.0) | 161 (59.2) |
| No | NA | 100 (36.8) |
Notes:
a
“Other” spontaneous responses not reported in the table were “sharing utensils” (40 [35.2%]) and “low defenses” (14 [12.3%]).
b
“No” is not a possible spontaneous response.
c
“Other” symptoms reported spontaneously by the participants were “poor appetite” (31 [27.3%]) and “backache” (18 [15.8%]). Fifteen (13.3%) did not know any symptoms of TB.
Abbreviation: TB, tuberculosis.