title: Awareness, attitude and treatment seeking behaviour regarding tuberculosis in a rural area of Tamil Nadu.
abstract: A population based cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the awareness, attitude, and treatment seeking behaviour regarding TB in rural Tamil Nadu. Out of 1985 people interviewed, 56% had heard of TB, but 80% were not aware of the cause and mode of spread of TB. Television was reported to be the main source of information (45%). Only 34% people were aware that treatment for TB was available free of cost. Less than 10% people felt the need to maintain confidentiality, if contracted TB. More than 80% people preferred to visit Government hospital, if developed TB, whereas 54% actually sought treatment from government hospital for cough of more than three weeks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu. malinikar@gmail.com
authors.forename: Malini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Logaraj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003219:Confidentiality; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D012424:Rural Population; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000628:therapy*