Abstract

The present study investigated the awareness, attitude and practice regarding prevention of tuberculosis among middle aged adults residing in selected panchayath of Kottayam district. The objectives of the study were to, assess the awareness, determine the attitude and identify the practice regarding prevention of tuberculosis, find out the correlation between awareness, attitude and practice regarding prevention of tuberculosis, find out the association of awareness, attitude and practice regarding prevention of tuberculosis with selected variables and prepare an information booklet regarding tuberculosis and its prevention. A cross sectional survey design was adopted for this study. The conceptual framework used was Rosenstock’s Health Belief Model. Four hundred middle aged adults were selected through purposive sampling from the outpatient department of Athirampuzha primary health center. Tools used for data collection were socio personal data sheet, awareness questionnaire, attitude and practice rating scale. An information booklet was given after the data collection. The data was collected and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS). The findings revealed that 29.8% had good, 56.2% had average and 14% had poor awareness, 35.5% had favorable and 64.5% had an unfavorable attitude regarding prevention of TB. Regarding the practice 52.5% had well and 47.5% had poor practice. A significant positive correlation found between awareness, attitude and practice. A significant association was found between awareness with gender, education, occupation and income status. Regarding attitude, a significant association was found with education and occupation. There was also a significant association found between practice with gender, education, occupation and family history of tuberculosis. The study also recommended the need for organizing awareness programmes on TB for improving the knowledge, attitude and practice.