Influence of knowledge of their disease among TB patients on their motivation to assist in investigation of contacts

Introduction

Contact investigation involves the systematic evaluation of the contacts of known TB patients to identify active disease or latent TB infection (LTBI). Poor knowledge and negative thoughts about the disease adversely affect contact investigation.

Objective

To determine the association between knowledge about disease transmission, treatment and prevention and the presence of a negative attitude to the disease and successful completion of contact investigation among sputum positive tuberculosis patients attending a clinic.

Methods

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out at the Chest Clinic, Matara. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A negative attitude to the disease was defined as self-distancing, reluctance to divulge presence of the disease to people other than family members and mental setback and hurt due to the attitudes of others. Knowledge response variables were compared between people who cooperated with contact investigations and those who did not cooperate.

Results

Data of 133 patients were analyzed in this study. The male to female ratio was 5:4. Age ranged from 12 years to 89 years (mean=47, SD±17). Contact investigations were completed in 24% of the patients. The level of knowledge on disease transmission, treatment and prevention among patients was good. Successful completion of contact investigation was significantly associated with knowledge of the availability of prophylaxis for close contacts below 5 years of age (x2=68, p=0.0001), knowledge of the necessity of close contact investigation (x2 =8.83, p=0.002) and keeping a distance when talking to others (x2=4.41, p= 0.03).

Conclusion

Completion of contact investigation was inadequate in this study sample even though average knowledge on disease transmission, treatment, and prevention was good. Health education of patients on the beneficial effects of contact investigation will help to improve successful completion.