A Study of Respiratory Hygiene Among Patients With Respiratory Manifestations in a Selected Primary Healthcare Setting in India

Background: Tuberculosis is the second leading infectious killer disease, mainly transmitted through undiagnosed presumptive and inadequately treated pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases in the community.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) related to respiratory hygiene and sputum disposal methods and to estimate the proportion of presumptive PTB cases among patients with clinical features of respiratory manifestations.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 adult patients with respiratory manifestations at an urban health centre in Goa using a validated, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire by interview method.

Results: Among 80 study participants, 10 (12.5%) presumptive PTB cases were found. The knowledge regarding the exact cause and transmission of tuberculosis was 55% (44) and 72.4% (58), respectively. Around 32.5% (26) of participants were not following cough etiquette and they studied only up to middle school. Regarding the attitude towards ideal sputum disposal methods, more than three-fourths (81.3%, 65) of the responses were towards unsafe sputum disposal methods.

Conclusion: There is a need for health education regarding proper respiratory hygiene and sputum disposal methods, especially among patients with low educational and socio-economic groups.