Table 3 Communities’ knowledge about the signs/symptoms, mode of transmission, prevention and treatment of TB in Shinile town, Somali regional state, eastern Ethiopia from January to May, 2013
Knowledge variable | Number (%) of male | Number (%) of female | Total number (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Signs/symptoms of TB | |||
Cough for 2Â weeks | 158 (76.7) | 139 (68.1) | 297 (72.4) |
Sputum with blood | 117 (56.8) | 97 (47.6) | 214 (52.2) |
Weight loss | 56 (27.2) | 53 (26.0) | 109 (26.6) |
Loss of appetite | 37 (18.0) | 34 (16.7) | 71 (17.3) |
Fever and sweat | 32 (15.5) | 26 (12.8) | 58 (14.2) |
Chest pain | 60 (29.1) | 59 (28.9) | 119 (29.0) |
Other (skin rash, etc.) | 3 (1.5) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.7) |
Don’t know | 4 (1.9) | 2 (1.0) | 6 (1.5) |
Can TB be transmitted? | |||
Yes | 169 (82.0) | 157 (80.0) | 326 (80.0) |
No | 8 (3.9) | 12 (5.9) | 20 (4.9) |
Don’t know | 29 (14.1) | 35 (17.2) | 64 (15.6) |
TB transmitted through | |||
Hand shaking | 8 (3.9) | 12 (5.9) | 20 (4.9) |
Cough/breath | 133 (64.6) | 110 (53.9) | 243 (59.3) |
Sharing cups | 74 (35.9) | 72 (35.3) | 146 (35.6) |
Sharing feeding material | 34 (16.5) | 35 (17.2) | 69 (16.8) |
Touching items in public | 19 (9.2) | 11 (5.4) | 30 (7.3) |
Other (crowding, poor hygiene ) | 2 (1.0) | 3 (1.5) | 5 (1.2) |
Don’t know | 3 (1.5) | 4 (2.0) | 7 (1.7) |
Can TB be prevented? | |||
Yes | 165 (80.1) | 160 (78.4) | 325 (79.3) |
No | 10 (4.9) | 8 (3.9) | 18 (4.4) |
Don’t know | 31 (15.1) | 36 (17.7) | 67 (16.3) |
Preventive methods of TB | |||
Avoid shaking hand | 5 (2.4) | 6 (2.9) | 11 (2.7) |
Covering mouth | 97 (47.1) | 89 (43.6) | 186 (45.4) |
Avoid sharing cups | 68 (33.0) | 66 (32.4) | 134 (32.7) |
Early treatment | 57 (27.7) | 60 (29.4) | 117 (28.5) |
Good nutrition | 28 (13.6) | 22 (10.8) | 50 (12.2) |
Using separate rooms | 94 (45.6) | 71 (34.8) | 165 (40.2) |
Closing window | 19 (9.2) | 21 (10.3) | 40 (9.8) |
Other (good hygiene, etc.) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (2.0) | 4 (1.0) |
Don’t know | 3 (1.5) | 2 (1.0) | 5 (1.2) |
Is TB treatable? | |||
Yes | 182 (88.4) | 178 (87.3) | 360 (87.8) |
No | 5 (2.4) | 3 (1.5) | 8 (2.0) |
Don’t know | 19 (9.2) | 23 (11.3) | 42 (10.2) |
Treatment method of TB | |||
Herbal remedies | 18 (8.7) | 25 (12.3) | 43 (10.5) |
Home rest without treatment | 12 (5.8) | 13 (6.4) | 25 (6.1) |
Pray | 30 (14.6) | 36 (17.7) | 66 (16.1) |
Modern drug | 143 (69.4) | 136 (66.7) | 279 (68.1) |
Self-treatment | 75 (36.4) | 76 (37.3) | 151 (36.8) |
Other (respecting elders, etc.) | 1 (0.2) | 2 (0.5) | 3 (0.8) |
Don’t know | 0 (0.0) | 2 (1.0) | 2 (0.5) |