Abstract:

Objective: To understand the current status of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control among key populations in Meigu County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, and provide a basis for carrying out TB health education in ethnic minority areas. Methods: A uniformly designed questionnaire was used to survey five categories of key populations in Meigu County. A census was conducted for all health system staff, middle school faculty in-service and middle school students attending school, and police staff in Meigu County; rural residents were surveyed by milti-stage sampling method. Except for students who used paper questionnaires, other populations were surveyed through Wenjuanxing (an online survey platform in China). A total of 12335 questionnaires were collected, of which 12038 were valid, representing a ralidity rate of 96.04%. Results: The overall awareness rates of the five key population groups in Meigu County were 90.97% (4712/5180) for health system personnel, 89.58% (3552/3965) for middle school faculty, 88.38% (844/955) for police workers, 71.80% (32212/44865) for middle school students, and 69.61% (3637/5225) for rural residents. The differences in rates were statistically significant (χ²=1555.74, P<0.001). Among the five core messages, the item “Which of the following statements is correct about preventing the transmission of tuberculosis?” had the poorest mastery. For each core message, the awareness rates were generally lower among rural residents and middle school students. The willingness of different populations to participate in TB prevention and control was generally high, with the proportion of willingness for each attitude among different populations all being ≥88.90%. In terms of TB prevention and control-related behaviors, the current smoking rates were 42.93% (82/191) among police workers, 37.42% (391/1045) among rural residents, 23.84% (247/1036) among health system personnel, 23.33% (185/793) among middle school faculty, and 7.47% (670/8973) among middle school students, with statistically significant differences in smoking rates (χ²=1121.30, P<0.001). Spitting in public was relatively common: 95.95% (994/1036) of health system personnel and 94.76% (181/191) of police workers reported seeing others spit in public, while the proportions for middle school faculty, rural residents, and middle school students were 79.32% (629/793), 78.09% (816/1045), and 52.41% (4703/8973), respectively. The proportion of people practicing correct coughing etiquette was generally low: only 16.17% (169/1045) of rural residents, followed by 32.95% (2957/8973) of middle school students, 40.84% (78/191) of police workers, 50.19% (398/793) of middle school faculty, and 83.88% (869/1036) of health system personnel, with statistically significant differences in rates (χ²=1292.52, P<0.001). Conclusion: In specific populations of Meigu County, the awareness rate of TB prevention and control knowledge among rural residents and middle school students is relatively low. All survey respondents showed a high willingness to participate in TB prevention and control. Unhealthy habits such as spitting anywhere and smoking are relatively common, and the proportion of people mastering correct coughing etiquette is low. It is necessary to carry out inter-departmental cooperation, integrate activities such as the patriotic health campaign and smoking ban activities in public places, and further strengthen health education on TB prevention and control.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Health knowledge, attitudes, practice, Questionnaires, Minority groups, Health promotion