Low tuberculosis knowledge among HIV-infected patients in a high HIV prevalence region within southeast India.

SETTING

A private multispecialty hospital in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.

METHODS

A survey of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions adapted from a pretested questionnaire was administered to 128 HIV-infected adults, from July to August 2008.

RESULTS

A total of 31% had not heard of tuberculosis (TB), with 15 (38%) currently receiving anti-TB therapy or had received it in the past. Of those familiar with TB, 70% could not list a method by which it was spread. Low education attainment, female sex, and less frequent television exposure were associated with low TB literacy.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected patients in southeast India have poor knowledge of TB and the methods by which it is spread. Scale-up of patient-directed educational programs is necessary to help control TB in India.