Health Seeking Behavior Among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Suspects In The Community In Indonesia Dina Bisara Lolong1, Kristina L. Tobing1, Lamria Pangaribuan1, Oster Suriani Simarmata1
National Institute of Health Research and Development
Abstract
Lack of awareness and perceived stigma could contribute to the late presentation of TB suspects to health facilities and low detection rate of tuberculosis.
Purpose
to assess their knowledge about TB and TB-related stigma and their health seeking behavior among TB suspects
Methods
This community based, cross sectional TB survey of national coverage was stratified multi-stage cluster sampling. Eligible population aged ≥15 was interviewed to identify TB symptoms and was screened with thorax X-rayto detect TB. All positively screened participants were interviewed about TB related knowledge and perceived stigma and TB treatment seeking behavior.
Results:
Of the 8,388 pulmonary TB suspects, only 2,234 (25.4%) were seeking treatment. The commonly mentioned causes of TB transmission werethrough droplets (65.5%), food/drink (59.4%), hereditary (47.0%) and black magic (18.4%). About 13.3% (1,119 out of 8,388) of TB suspect revealed that they could hide the fact that a member of their family had TB. TB suspect participants who hid their family members TB were less likely to have treatment seeking behavior (OR = 1.22 (95% CI:1.04, 1.43)) than those who did not. They who had previous anti TB treatment were more likely to have treatment seeking behavior (OR = 1.23 (95% CI:1.22, 1.71)) than those who did not. TB suspect livingin Java Bali, were more likely to have treatment seeking behavior (OR = 1.36 (95% CI:1.06, 1.74)) than those living in Eastern.
Conclusion
TB control program in Indonesias remote communities in particularshould include efforts to educate people on the cause and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of TB.
