Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tuberculosis in Timor-Leste: Results from the demographic and health Survey 2016

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tuberculosis (TB) in the general population in Timor-Leste. Methods: In the nationally representative cross-sectional 2016 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey, 4622 men (aged 15-59 years) and 12 607 women (aged 15-49 years) were randomly selected using stratified multistage sampling and interviewed. Results: Overall, 66.9% of men and 62.8% of women were aware of TB, 4.4% of men and 12.6% of women had TB courtesy stigma, and 83.3% of men and 88.6% of women reported intention to receive TB treatment. The mean±standard deviation overall TB knowledge score was 3.9±2.0 (out of 8) among men and 3.0±1.8 among women. In a multivariable linear regression analysis, among both men and women, older age, higher education, rural residence, and sources of TB information (family/friends, school/workplace, health care provider, Internet, television, and newspaper) were associated with higher TB knowledge scores. In addition, among women, higher wealth status and having heard about TB from the radio were associated with higher TB knowledge scores. Negative associations with TB courtesy stigma were found for urban residence and having heard about TB from family or friends among men, and for older age, higher TB knowledge, and TB information sources (family/friends and school/workplace) among women. Among both men and women, higher TB knowledge scores and having heard of TB from a health care provider were associated with intention to receive TB treatment. Conclusions: This study identified socio-demographic risk factors for deficiences in population-based TB knowledge in Timor-Leste; these findings should be considered when designing TB communication, prevention, and control strategies.