Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.65(5) > 1001296

TOOLS
Cheong, Kim, Kang, Cho, Lee, and Chang: Knowledge and Attitudes toward Tuberculosis among High School Students in Busan
Original Article
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2008; 65(5): 369-378.

Published online: 30 November 2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2008.65.5.369

Knowledge and Attitudes toward Tuberculosis among High School Students in Busan

Chin-Ock Cheong, 1, Sung-Soo Kim, Ph.D.2, Mi-Kyung Kang, 4, Eun-Hee Cho, M.D.5, Eun Yup Lee, M.D.3, Chulhun L. Chang, M.D.3

1Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.

2Department of Social Studies of Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.

3Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.

4International Tuberculosis Research Center, Masan, Korea.

5Division of HIV & TB Control, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Chulhun L. Chang, M.D. Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, 1-10, Ami-dong, Seo-gu, Busan 602-739, Korea. Phone: 82-51-240-7417, Fax: 82-51-247-6560, cchl@pusan.ac.kr

Received 9 August 2008       Accepted 29 September 2008

Copyright © 2008 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Background

The mortality rate from tuberculosis in Korea is the highest among OECD countries. However, general public's knowledge of tuberculosis is limited. Currently, exposure to tuberculosis in high school students is a big problem.

Methods

A written questionnaire was distributed to 78 high school students in Busan.

Results

Almost all the students had heard of tuberculosis (95%). However, their knowledge of tuberculosis was very superficial and limited. The attitude about tuberculosis was 'nothing to worry about' and there was no systemic education in the school or home.

Conclusion

Although tuberculosis is quite serious in Korea, most people know little about it and have the wrong attitude. In particular, high school students are easily exposed to tuberculosis because they spend most of their time as a group. Therefore, education of high school students on tuberculosis is strongly recommended in schools and the home. In addition, medical practitioners should play a role in education and prevention programs.

Keywords: High school student, Tuberculosis, Survey, Knowledge & attitude

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Questionnaires of knowledge and attitudes on tuberculosis
trd-65-369-i001
Table 2
Amount of high school students' knowledge about tuberculosis
trd-65-369-i002

TB: tuberculosis.

*No answer 1 (1.3%).

Table 3
High school students' attitudes about tuberculosis
trd-65-369-i003

TB: tuberculosis.

*No answer 1 (1.3%).

Table 4
High school students' attitudes about tuberculosis' contagiousness
trd-65-369-i004

Multiple response questions, sum not equal to 100%.

References

1. World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis controlsurveillance, planning, financing: WHO report 2008. Document no. WHO/HTM/TB/2008.393. 2008. Geneva: WHO;Available from: http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/2008/pdf/fullreport.pdf.
2. World Health Organization, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, United Nations Children's fund. Towards universal access: scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector: progress report 2008. 2008. Geneva: WHO;Available from: http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/towards_universal_access_report_2008.pdf.
3. Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Analysis of notified tuberculosis patients in 2007, Korea. Pub Health Wkly Rep. 2008. 1:237–242.
4. Kim KS, Lee SH, Yoo IY, Park HJ, Yoonchang SW, Jung MH. A survey on perception level of tuberculosis among hospital cleaners. J Korean Soc Living Environ Sys. 2007. 14:20–28.
5. Koh WJ, Kwon OJ. Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberc Respir Dis. 2005. 58:438–451.
6. Koh WJ, Kwon OJ. Treatment of tuberculosis patients in the private sector in Korea. Tuberc Respir Dis. 2004. 56:443–449.
7. Rhu OJ. Private-Public Mix for National TB control program. Tuberc Respir Dis. 2003. 97:159–165.
8. West EL, Gadkowski LB, Ostbye T, Piedrahita C, Stout JE. Tuberculosis knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among North Carolinians at increased risk of infection. N C Med J. 2008. 69:14–20.
9. Munro SA, Lewin SA, Smith HJ, Engel ME, Fretheim A, Volmink J. Patient adherence to tuberculosis treatment: a systematic review of qualitative research. PLoS Med. 2007. 4:e238.
10. Wandwalo ER, Morkve O. Knowledge of disease and treatment among tuberculosis patients in Mwanza, Tanzania. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2000. 4:1041–1046.
11. Ottmani S, Obermeyer Z, Bencheikh N, Mahjour J. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about tuberculosis in urban Morocco. East Mediterr Health J. 2000. 14:298–304.
TOOLS
Similar articles