Awareness Among Men About Tuberculosis, Its Spread and Electronic Media Impact in Pakistan: Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2012-13

Abstract

Abstract
Objective: Pakistan stands 5th among the highest TB burden countries in the world. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of listening to the Radio and watching TV on awareness and knowledge about TB and its spread among men.
Methods: The study was based on data from third countrywide Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS), 2012-13. From 12,943 occupied households, 13,558 ever-married women and 3,134 ever married men age 15–49 were interviewed. Men interviews record was selected and analysed for TB awareness and its relationship with electronic media. The relationship was tested by SPSS logistic regression analysis and the p-value of <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.
Results: The study showed that daily watching TV was significantly higher in urban areas and created more awareness of TB and its spread than rural areas. In rural areas, Radio listeners were more than urban areas. 33.2% to 58.7% men had knowledge that TB spreads by touching a person who has TB disease while 81.3% to 99.5% men had an awareness that TB is not spread by sexual contact with TB diseased person. Electronic media especially watching TV was statistically significant with awareness of TB and its spread.

Conclusion: Men from urban areas, daily TV watchers and occasionally radio listeners had significantly high awareness about TB spread by air. Misconceptions about TB spread by utensils, sexual contact and touching TB person prevail. Radio and TV can play a vital role, through education, to control TB spread and taking complete treatment.