Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions held by the Latin-American population on tuberculosis, after being discharged from hospital in the Community of Madrid. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community of Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: Non-institutionalised Latin-American population over 15 years old, diagnosed with tuberculosis during the year 2003 (1st January-31st December). MEASUREMENTS: A descriptive study and an analytical study were performed. The measure of association used was the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), which were calculated by unconditional logistic regressions, using univariate and multivariate models. The dependent variables: to have correct knowledge of the disease and its treatments. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: sociodemographic indicators (sex, education level, age) and clinical variables (case definition, location of the disease). RESULTS: A high percentage had correct knowledge of the disease (77.3%), its transmission (94.7%) and treatment (77.3%). An extra-pulmonary location was associated with a lower level of knowledge of the general characteristics of tuberculosis [OR (95% CI), 0.21 (0.05-0.85)] and its transmission [OR (95% CI) 0.05 (0-0.66)]. A high percentage of the population identified erroneous transmission routes, such as blood (42.3%); sexual fluids (50%), or utensils used for eating (81.3%). CONCLUSIONS: After hospital discharge, a high percentage has correct knowledge about the disease, although there is a high prevalence of erroneous beliefs on its transmission. These beliefs must be taken into account in the information given to patients, since it could increase the stigmatisation and vulnerability of the patient.