title: Study to evaluate impact of IEC activities on awareness of Tuberculosis and RNTCP-DOTS among OPD patients around Bathinda area.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public health problem in India. This study was aimed to know the awareness and impact of Information, Education, Communication (IEC) activities about TB and RNTCP & DOTS among general population around Bathinda area of Malwa region of Punjab through patients attending chest OPD of a tertiary care hospital attached to a medical college of this region.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in above stated hospital from 1st June, 2012 to 31st May 2013, for a period of one year using a questionnaire and a pictorial poster, which was pilot-tested and results were included in the main study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total Of 19,259 patients attended chest OPD in the given time period. It included 11412 (59%) male and 7847(41%) female patients. Average age of the patients was 46.8 years. Majority of patients were in the age-group of 26-50 years which is a most active and economically productive age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this study shows that knowledge about symptoms, mode of transmission of infection, treatment under RNTCP by DOTS is satisfactory but still IEC activities for RNTCP and DOTS need more and more and repeated sensitization of the general population. It is recommended that such, studies are to be conducted for better implementation of RNTCP and DOTS programme in the country, particularly in the light of HIV and drug resistant Tuberculosis.
authors: Dharampal Singh
authors: DS
authors: Sudan
authors: Ramnikaz
authors: Manju
authors: Neetu
authors: N
authors: Swain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult