Public visibility of tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment facilities in rural Puducherry, mixed method design
Authors: Ganapathy Kalaiselvan 
Published: February 2023

Objectives:
To study the specific issues on the diagnosis and treatment to be addressed in TB advocacy, communication and social mobilization activities. Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment is the mainstay in the prevention and control of tuberculosis (TB). We present findings from an operational research study on visibility of TB diagnosis and treatment among people in rural Puducherry.

Materials and Methods:
Study area and study setting: The present study was undertaken in the villages of Thirubhuvani Primary Health Center (PHC) in rural Pondicherry by the Department of Community Medicine, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College. Study design: An exploratory sequential mixed method design where qualitative methods (Focus Group Discussion [FGD]) followed by quantitative methods (Community-based cross-sectional survey) were used. Sample size and sampling: Qualitative: FGD was conducted to assess the perceptions and practices of rural people related to TB. We conducted eight FGD, four each with men and women. It was held with the purposively selected men and women (8−12 members) from different socioeconomic strata. Quantitative: Probability proportional to size method was used to select 30 clusters from the villages of Thirubhuvani PHC. In each cluster, 12 households were selected by random walk method and head of the family who is assumed to act as decision maker in that household was interviewed using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. However, we could study the required sample as calculated, the final sample studied was 348.

Results:
Qualitative: As per the responses emerged from the FGD, four categories are symptoms and mode of transmission, treatment, problems faced, and others. The 12 codes emerged are symptoms, mode of spread, risk factors, availability, effect home remedies health system related, family and community, financial, advantages at government hospitals, media for awareness, and recommendation. Quantitative: Among the 348 people studied, 203 were male and 145 were female. The major source of information of TB received by the community was from family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We found that majority of them have correctly responded that weight loss (97.1%) and cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks (27.5%) as the symptoms of TB. However, they have also commented wrongly that rash as one the symptom (76.1%) of TB, the measures for preventing TB are by avoiding hand shaking (26.4) avoid sharing foods (74.7). Smokers and alcoholic are at-risk for TB infection. Most of the participants expressed that they will feel fear (95.1), sadness or hopelessness (94.8), embarrassment (96.8), shame (89.6), and surprise (65.2) if they have contacted TB. The participants also reported TB diagnosis and treatment are free of cost (95.1) and will approach health facility (96.8) if they had symptoms of TB. The 95% of them have informed that TB is curable and treatment is available at government hospital (97.7) and available free of cost (92.2).

Conclusion:
Hence, a strategy for wide, consistent, and regular dissemination of information on TB is needed for better public visibility of TB diagnosis and treatment facilities in rural Pondicherry.