title: The association between multiple sources of information and risk perceptions of tuberculosis, Ntcheu district, Malawi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main causes of death in developing countries. Awareness and perception of risk of TB could influence early detection, diagnosis and care seeking at treatment centers. However, perceptions about TB are influenced by sources of information.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the association between multiple sources of information, and perceptions of risk of TB among adults aged 18-49 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ntcheu district in Malawi. A total of 121 adults were sampled in a three-stage simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Perceptions of risk were measured using specific statements that reflected common myths and misconceptions. Low risk perception implied a person having strong belief in myths and misconceptions about TB and high risk perception meant a person having no belief in myths or misconceptions and demonstrated understanding of the disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Females were more likely to have low risk perceptions about TB compared to males (67.7% vs. 32.5%, p = 0.01). The higher the household asset index the more likely an individual had higher risk perceptions about TB (p = 0.006). The perception of risk of TB was associated with sources of information (p = 0.03). Use of both interpersonal communication and mass media was 2.8 times more likely to be associated with increased perception of risk of TB (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.8; 95% Confidence interva1[CI]: 3.1-15. 6; p = 0.01). After adjusting for sex and asset ownership, use of interpersonal communication and mass media were more likely to be associated with higher perception of risk of TB (OR, 2.0; 95% CI: 1.65-10.72; p = 0.003) compared with interpersonal communication only (OR 1.6, 95%; CI: 1.13-8.98, p = 0.027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study found that there was association between multiple sources of information, and higher perceptions of risk of TB among adults aged 18-49 years.
authors.affiliation: Health Department, Save the Children International, Lilongwe, Malawi; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chizimba
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Christofides
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chirwa
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Research Project, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi.
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Singini
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Monash, South Africa.
authors.forename: Chineme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozumba
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Pakachere Institute of Health and Development Communication, Blantyre, Malawi.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sikwese
authors.affiliation: Research for Equity and Community Health (REACH) Trust, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Hastings T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.affiliation: National Tuberculosis Control Program, Community Health Sciences Unit, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Rhoda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Services, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chimbali
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi.
authors.forename: Bagrey
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ngwira
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi.
authors.forename: Alister
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munthali
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Monash, South Africa; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nyasulu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult