A study of knowledge of adolescents who are suffering with tuberculosis, regarding anti-tuberculosis treatment and its compliance, from various hospitals of Mumbai

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious, infectious disease, due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT), which usually lasts throughout the life course and determines the formation of tubercles in different parts of the body.

Methodology: In the present study adolescents between age group 14-18 years diagnosed with tuberculosis, and adolescents who take ant tuberculosis treatment regularly. The researcher used the technique of interview and questionnaire schedule to collect the data for the study. A semi-structured interview and questionnaire were scheduled to assess the knowledge of adolescents who are suffering from tuberculosis, regarding anti-tuberculosis treatment and its compliance. The tool had two sections with the section I including demographic data of adolescents who were suffering from tuberculosis and section II with knowledge of adolescents who were suffering from tuberculosis regarding definition, cause, clinical manifestation, investigations, treatment, drug compliance, complications, and reason of noncompliance for treatment of tuberculosis.

Results: In the present study, we found that 46% subjects belonged to 17-18 years age group category. 56% subjects were females (table 1). We also found that 66% subjects completed their SSC. 64% subjects were Hindu by religion followed by 26% Muslims. Among the 50 subjects, 28% were involved in clerical work while only 2% were unemployed. There were 2% each subject who was earning > Rs. 19,575 and < Rs. 979 respectively. 64% subjects were living in the joint family while the majority of the subjects belonged to Chawal (46%) and Zopadpatti (40%).78% were diagnosed with pulmonary TB while remaining 22% subjects were diagnosed with extrapulmonary TB. 94% subjects were aware of ATT while 80% were aware of the regularity of the treatment. 96% responded that discontinuation of the treatment may result in relapse while 70% responded that the discontinuation may lead to spread of the complication to the other part of the body.

Conclusion: The present study identified that the TB adolescent had adequate knowledge about TB treatment and its compliance; however, increasing knowledge about the same could be an effective means to prevent and spread the disease.