Abstract:

Objective: To explore the core knowledge of tuberculosis prevention and control among residents in pastoral areas of Qinghai,so as to provide a basis for targeted health education in the future. Methods: From March to August 2021, the herdsmen in 32 counties of 6 Tibetan autonomous prefectures in Qinghai were investigated using the method of multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. A face-to-face interview survey was conducted using the questionnaire designed by the special expert group after literature search and expert consultation. A total of 3310 questionnaires were distributed and 3241 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 97.92%. The questionnaire includede the basic demographic characteristics, the awareness rate of the core knowledge of tuberculosis prevention and control and the main way for getting tuberculosis knowledge and information. Results: The total awareness rate of tuberculosis prevention and control knowledge among residents in pastoral areas of Qinghai was 81.49% (13206/16205). Among the single item knowledge awareness rates, the awareness rate of “coughing or coughing up sputum for more than 2 weeks or with blood in sputum, should be suspected of having tuberculosis” was the highest (91.11%, 2953/3241); while the awareness rate of “as long as regular treatment is adhered to, most tuberculosis patients can be cured” was the lowest (71.52%, 2318/3241). Of the 3241 subjects, 91.48% (2965/3241) had received health education, those without health education accounted for 8.52% (276/3241). The top three ways for residents to receive education were television (68.80%, 2040/2965), flyers/folds/posters (63.61%, 1886/2965), and billboards/wall newspapers/blackboard newspapers (61.42%, 1821/2965). The most desirable way for pastoral residents to receive health education was radio/television/film/audio-visual materials (73.71%, 2389/3241), followed by posters/billboards/billboards/display boards/wall slogans (59.80%, 1938/3241) and doctor publicity (56.56%, 1833/3241). Conclusion: The awareness rate of core knowledge of tuberculosis prevention and control among residents in pastoral areas of Qinghai is lower than the requirement of the National Tuberculosis Control Program. It is necessary to strengthen the propaganda and education of tuberculosis prevention and control knowledge in pastoral areas, and targeted propaganda and education measures suitable for pastoral areas should be carried out.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Health knowledge, attitudes, practice, Questionnaires survey