Table 2 Knowledge about TB among Immigrant Students in Umeå Swedish-Language Schools (N = 268)
Items accurately identified by most respondents as correct | Number of correct answers (%) |
|---|---|
TB is caused by a bacterium | 152 (56.7) |
TB can spread to other people if a diseased person: | |
Coughs | 203 (75.8) |
Shares a room with them | 140 (52.2) |
Spits | 136 (50.8) |
Sneezes | 135 (50.4) |
TB is not transmitted through handshakes | 143 (53.4) |
People at increased risk include: | |
Those in contact with sick people | 192 (71.6) |
Smokers | 159 (59.3) |
Prisoners | 147 (54.9) |
Substance abusers | 145 (54.1) |
HIV infected | 144 (53.7) |
Homeless | 138 (51.5) |
Symptoms related to TB: | |
Coughing up blood | 202 (75.4) |
Chest pain | 166 (61.9) |
Feeling tired all the time | 160 (59.7) |
Fever | 152 (56.7) |
Unexplained weight loss | 148 (55.2) |
To get rid of TB, patients must continue treatment even if they feel better after two-three weeks | 196 (73.1) |
To prevent the spread of TB, all patients should be asked to: | |
spit in a tissue and avoid coughing on others | 200 (74.6) |
sleep in a bedroom away from other family members | 186 (69.4) |
cover their noses when coughing or sneezing | 183 (68.3) |