Survey reveals Filipinos’ behavior, attitude on tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis, (TB) is one of the ten leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines making it a major health problem in the country today.  This according to the 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the NSO with technical assistance from ORC Macro, a US-based research agency specializing in the conduct of health and demographic surveys.

Results of the survey showed that 35 % of women and 36 % of men have had symptoms of TB in the past.  Of these, 47 % of women and 55 % of men had sought treatment while 37 % of women and 42 % of men did not seek treatment because they perceived their symptoms are harmless.

It also stated that distance, self-medication and cost of treatment affect the attitudes of those who ever gad symptoms.  Those who took anti-B medicines reported that government hospitals, urban-rural health centers and pharmacies are the most common sources of treatment for TB.

Almost three-fourths of the respondents (625) expressed their willingness to work with someone who had been previously treated for TB.

The 2003 NDHS also said that people living in the urban areas are more likely to be knowledgeable about Tb compared as compared to those living in rural areas.  It is also indicated that those with higher education and income are more aware of tuberculosis.