Determinants of correct knowledge and misconception about TB transmission among ever married women in India and Bangladesh: Evidence from recent national surveys

Abstract

Background and objectives

Tuberculosis (TB) is the 6^th leading cause of death and an important public health problem in South Asia. In 2006, WHO ranked India 1^st (with ≈2 million new cases/year) and Bangladesh 6^th (with ≈0.32 million new cases/year) among the world’s 22 highest-burden TB countries. Studies regarding knowledge and misconception about TB transmission among women are scanty in both countries. This study identified socio-demographic factors associated with two dichotomized dependent variables: correct knowledge of TB transmission (CKTBT) and misconceptions about TB transmission (MTBT) by analysing 93,724 Indian and 10,996 Bangladeshi ever married women aged 15-49 years.

Methods

Data were collected through 3^rd National Family Health Survey (2005-2006) of India and Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007. CKTBT meant that TB can be spread by air when coughing/sneezing. MTBT meant any of the five options ‘TB can be spread by: sharing utensils, touching a person with TB, food, sexual contact and mosquito bite. Factors examined were age, urban-rural residence, state/region, education, religion, frequency of watching TV, and ever heard of AIDS (EHAIDS).

Results

CKTBT and MTBT were reported by 46.5% and 43.8% of Indian and 34.8% and 70.1% of Bangladeshi women, respectively. However, only 7% of Bangladeshi and 17% of Indian women reported CKTBT without any misconception. MTBT without CKTBT was 14% in India and 42% in Bangladesh. Interestingly, both CKTBT and MTBT revealed significantly positive association with age, education, watching TV, and EHAIDS by multiple logistic regression. CKTBT (except Bangladesh) and MTBT varied significantly by state/region and religion. Urban women showed significantly higher CKTBT only in India.

Conclusions

Although Indian women revealed relatively better knowledge and lower misconception about TB transmission than Bangladeshi women, further improvement are necessary in both countries. Future investigations are also required as same factors are similarly associated with CKTBT and MTBT.