TUBERCULOSIS

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.

The study investigated the knowledge and attitude towards the prevention and control of tuberculosis among undergraduates in the faculty of education, UNIBEN. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The descriptive survey research design was adopted to guide the study. The population for this research study will consists of six thousand, four hundred and thirty-five (6435) undergraduate students of the Faculty of Education of the University of Benin. The sample size for this study consists of 250 undergraduate students from 100 level to 400 level who will be purposively selected from four departments in the Faculty of Education. For the purpose of collecting acceptable and reliable information, the use of a questionnaire was adopted as an instrument for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of four sections A, B, C, and D. The different sections have a number of questions to help gather information on the respo dents, regarding their knowledge and attitude towards the prevention and control of tuberculosis. The researcher personally administered the instrument to the respondents. Following the collection and appropriate organization of valid questionnaires, the gathered data underwent analysis using frequency counts, mean calculations, and simple percentage. The findings suggest that undergraduates in the Faculty of Education at the University of Benin possess a generally positive attitude towards tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control. They recognized TB as a serious health threat and showed a willingness to engage in screening and preventive practices. Based on the findings of the study, it
was recommended amongst others: Awareness campaigns should continue to emphasize the importance of TB treatment and reduce stigma, especially regarding individuals undergoing treatment. Peer education programs should be promoted to enable students to share knowledge about TB prevention, symptoms, and treatment, fostering a more informed and supportive community, The university should offer regular TB screening programs to ensure early detection and prompt treatment.