OBJECTIVE

To investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward first-line antitubercular agents among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in southwestern China, and to examine sociodemographic disparities in KAP.

METHODS

A simple sampling survey was conducted among TB patients clinically diagnosed with active pulmonary TB at the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing. The questionnaire was used to collect demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice data on first-line TB drugs.

RESULTS

A total of 188 respondents were included in the analysis, of whom 129 were males and 59 were females, 44.7% scored below the median knowledge score 7 (4,8). Lower knowledge was seen in those aged ≥60 (P=0.001), earning <1000 yuan/month (P=0.049), with ≤secondary education (P<0.001), farmers (P=0.015), and single-drug users (P<0.001). Attitude scores were lower in older (P=0.001), less-educated (P<0.001), and farming populations (P=0.004). Non-adherent behaviors (18.1%) and missed dose compensation (47.3%) were more common in males (P=0.005), older adults (P=0.026), low-income (P=0.022), less-educated (P<0.001), farmers (P<0.001), and single-drug users (P=0.014).

CONCLUSION

This study reveals significant differences and deficiencies in knowledge, attitude, and practice of first-line antitubercular drugs among patients with active pulmonary TB, with the most pronounced gaps observed among older adults, lower educational attainment, and farmers.