KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF TUBERCULOSIS AMONG SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

This study assessed the knowledge and perception of tuberculosis (TB) among 100-level social science students in University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains a major public health issue, especially in low and middle income countries like Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 150 students selected through simple random sampling across the departments of Political Science, Public Administration, and Sociology/Anthropology. Findings revealed that 64% of the respondents demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding the causes of tuberculosis, while only 21% exhibited a high level of understanding. Furthermore, 58% of respondents correctly identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the causative agent, yet perceptions persisted, with 35% attributing TB to sharing utensils and 29% to spiritual causes. In terms of perception, 72% acknowledged TB as a serious health issue, and
68% recognized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment adherence. However, 41% of respondents expressed uncertainty about the curability of TB, and 33% believed traditional remedies could replace medical treatment. The study also found statistically significant differences in knowledge and perception based on the students’ departments (p < 0.05). These results underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to address perceptions and improve TB awareness among non-health students. Strengthening health literacy within the university community can enhance preventive practices and support national efforts in TB control.