title: Knowledge, attitude and misconceptions regarding tuberculosis in Pakistani patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge of patients with tuberculosis; about their disease and misconceptions regarding TB.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was conducted at Out-patient clinics of two teaching hospitals (private and public) in Karachi, Pakistan. A questionnaire was filled for the purpose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 170 patients were interviewed, 112 from private and 58 from a public sector hospital. Cough, fever, bloody sputum and chest pain were recognized as the common symptoms of TB. Eleven (7%) patients thought TB was not an infectious disease and 18 (10.6%) did not consider it a preventable disease. Contaminated food was considered the source of infection by 81 (47.6%) and 96 (57%) considered emotional trauma/stress the causative agent of TB. No counseling about preventing spread was received by 81 (50%) patients and 97 (57%) considered separating dishes as an important means of preventing spread. Thirty one (18%) patients would have discontinued their medications following relief of symptoms. Thirty nine (23%) of the respondents thought that TB could lead to infertility and 66 (38.8%) believed that there were reduced chances of getting married following infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Misconceptions concerning TB are common in Pakistani patients. Lack of knowledge on Tuberculosis is alarming.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Javaid Ahmed
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irfan
authors.forename: Amna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaki
authors.forename: Madiha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beg
authors.forename: Syed Fayyaz
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Nadeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rizvi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission