Philippine E-Journals

TB DOTS-CHE KAP Baseline Survey in the Province of Antique

Rezyl R. Mallorca

Discipline: Social Science, Health

 

Abstract:

This paper is part of the overall baseline study assessing the knowledge, attitudes and care-seeking practices on Tuberculosis of the residents in the provinces of Antique, Cebu, Ilo-Ilo, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and in the cities of Mandaluyong, Kidapawan and Surigao commissioned by Holistic Community Development and Initiatives, Inc. This is a descriptive research which used stratified random sampling in choosing the respondents per community with the aid of a map, totaling 2,435 residents. Since most of the covered community had no house maps, identifying respondents was also conducted with interviews using structured and centralized questionnaire prepared by the Philippine Business for Social Progress. Findings revealed that almost all residents heard about tuberculosis, knew that it is serious and contagious. However, results showed that despite respondents’ awareness on existence of tuberculosis, they lacked knowledge about its nature, cause, symptoms, preventions and treatment. Researchers also found out that attitudes of residents toward tuberculosis are positive though many feared mingling with TB infected individuals for possible contamination. With these, respondents need to be educated regarding tuberculosis’ prevention and treatment. Aggressive health education, enhanced programs for information dissemination and further assessment on TB DOTS program’s effectiveness are the ones recommended.