Gender Distinguishes in Knowledge of Tuberculosis and Associated Healthcare Finding Behaviors in Simanjiro District
Abstract:
Background: Tuberculosis detection under the national tuberculosis control program in Tanzania follows passive case-finding guidelines, which could be influenced by the accessibility of health service and patient's health-care seeking behaviors. The correlation between men and women's knowledge on TB and their health-care seeking
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the gender distinguish in knowledge of Tuberculosis and associated health-care finding behaviours among maasai in Simanjiro district,northern Tanzania general population.
Methods: Cross-sectional studies were carried out in Simanjiro District, Tanzania by using randomly sampling method, including 1,335 subjects, was conducted to investigate the tuberculosis knowledge among household’s population and individual interviews were then carried out. Gender distinguishes in the knowledge of tuberculosis and health-care finding behaviors was analyzed.
Results: Among Maasai general population men 15.0% and women 13.0% knew the prolonged cough with the duration of 3 weeks or longer was a symptom for suspicious tuberculosis. Fewer women than men knew the local appointed health facility for TB diagnosis and treatment as well as the current free TB service policy. Moreover, women were less likely to learn information about TB and a large part of women preferred to visit village traditional healer.
Conclusion: Tuberculosis and direct observing treatment program were not well known by Maasai in Simanjiro. Gender issues should be considered to reduce diagnostic delay of TB and improve both men and women's access to qualified health facility for TB care. Strengthening awareness of TB and improving the accessibility of health-care service is essential in TB eradication.
