Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS co-infection related awareness, attitude and practices: A case study in Tunduru district

Abstract

Background: It is estimated that up to 50% of people who are living with HIV were also infected with TB. Tuberculosis is among the most important infectious diseases in Tanzania with a high mortality, especially among the HIV infected individuals. The number of tuberculosis cases has increased from 11,753 in 1983 to 62,092 in 2006; a five-fold increase due to HIV pandemic. It has been found that the community perception and awareness of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection may influence early health seeking behavior and hence control of TB and HIV/AIDS in the community.

Objective: The main objective of this study is to explore community awareness, attitude and practice towards prevention of TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection in the general population of Tunduru District.

Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study using quantitative techniques was conducted in Tunduru district council. Four divisions, eight wards and one village in each particularward were selected using multi stage cluster sampling techniques. Inclusion criteria was all people aged 18 years and above. A semi structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used as an instrument to assess information of TB and HIV awareness, attitude and practices.Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of potential determinants of TB and HIV awareness, attitude and practices were estimated by multivariable logistic regression using SPSS version 16.0 software.

Results: Awareness of symptoms of TB in HIV patients was found to be higher for individuals who were employed. The findings also show that individuals above 25 years old, male, employed and able to read and write were reported to have positive attitude towards TB and HIV co-infection. Furthermore the findings revealed that individuals who were married were more likely to practice cough hygiene as preventive measure of TB. Finally study established statistically significant association between HIV testing and gender, age, level of education and employment statusamong respondents.

Conclusion and Recommendation: The study findings revealed that those individuals who had never attended formal education, younger generation and unemployed had poor practices, awareness and negative attitude towards TB and HIV co-infection. This calls for innovative action to reach those with limited writing and reading skills through TB/HIV drama, verbal and pictorial messages as part of a comprehensive ACSM strategy. Furthermore, an effort to educate younger generation and unemployed is needed. I strongly recommended planning a program to bring desired change in awareness, attitude and practices based on socio-cultural context of the society.