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Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Human and Bovine Tuberculosis among High School Students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Knowledge Attitude and Practice towards Human and Bovine Tuberculosis among High School Students in Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Vol 5(1) 1-11
DOI- http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20150202104134

Tuberculosis (TB) is among the top public health threats globally. Zoonotic tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis is common among developing countries. Due to the endemic immunosuppressive disease, existence of huge livestock population paralleled with marginal awareness, risky practice and lack of control strategy, bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has remained a public health concern among poor countries. Health education targeting children can serve to shape their perception and also potentially educating parents and breaking misperceptions about the disease. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of high school students towards BTB in comparison to human TB in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross sectional study was conducted between November 2013 to December 2013 at public secondary schools. A structured questionnaire was designed, pretested and self-administered to ninth and tenth grade students in a local language. A total of 409 students (41.3% male and 58.7%f female) were participated. Almost all (99.5%) had heard of human TB; however, only 57 (13.9%) knew BTB (X2= 613.9, P=0.0001). Information on human and animal TB was obtained mainly from radio/TV (81.3%) and (75.4%), respectively. Knowledge on the infectious cause of human and animal TB was known by 77.1% and 54.4%, respectively. However, misperception such as cold weather, locally termed as “Berd” was implicated as cause to human TB. Inhalation was the commonly reported route of transmission in human (93.7%) as well as in bovine (28%). Of all students, 89(21.7%) have experienced TB themselves or among persons they knew; however, no association (p>0.05) was seen with their knowledge on bovine 11/57(19.3%) and human TB 89/409 (21.7%).BTB is regarded as a public health significant disease 38 (66.7%). Only 27(47.3%) and 9 (15.8%) considered raw milk, and yogurt as vehicles to M. bovis infection, respectively. Overall, (66.2%) practiced use of pasteurized milk products. The present study showed a much lower knowledge and awareness on bovine TB among students.Due to concerted educational effort on human TB, the students awareness has evolved when, ironically, on BTB is limited. Thus, the existing awareness intervention strategy should be operated along with animal TB under a One Health umbrella.

Keywords : Attitude High school students Knowledge Practice Public health Zoonotic tuberculosis

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