ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis or TB is the sixth leading cause of death and disease and its prevalence has been elevated among elevated-risk groups such as the elderly, urban poor, smokers and those with compromised immune systems such as people living with HIV, malnutrition and diabetes. Persons with signs and symptoms of TB may have access to free diagnostic tests using sputum microscopy and anti-TB drugs from different DOTS facilities, such as rural health units, health centers, private clinics, some hospitals, prison clinics and other facilities. The treatment partner maintains communication with the patient. There are, however, several undetected and untreated cases called "missing TB cases."
Tuberculosis can also affect many different organ systems, especially the respiratory system. This can even affect the kidneys, bones, or even the brain. Anti-tuberculosis medicines such as isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and streptomycin are available free of charge through national and local government health centers. The objective of this study is to determine the level of awareness and attitudes towards tuberculosis among residents of Barangay Putol Tuy Batangas. A descriptive method of analysis was used as the key data collection tool by means of a questionnaire. The survey respondents covered a total of two hundred and forty (240) residents of Barangay Putol Tuy Batangas. The data for this study are limited to the participants and the recovered data. Based on the study, the following data are identified; the majority of participants were between 15 and 25 years of age. The male respondents are greater than the female respondents. In terms of educational attainment, high school graduates have the highest number of respondents, and those with incomes of between 5,001 and 10,000 pesos have participated the most. As far as the level of awareness of tuberculosis respondents is concerned, the highest weighted mean is 3.55 with the verbal interpretation of Very Much Aware with the comment, "I know that tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most significant public health issues that kill people, while the lowest mean is 2.69 with the verbal interpretation of Aware with the comment,' I am aware of the reasons for aversion to treatment of TB’. With respect to the TB attitude of the respondents, the highest weighted mean is 3.20 with the verbal interpretation of Accepting with the statement "I understand that I have to know more about TB" and the statement "I am not apprehensive about the cost of my treatment" was the lowest weighted mean of 2.72 with the verbal interpretation of Accepting. The test indicates a substantial difference in the level of awareness of the respondents to tuberculosis when the profile is assumed to be rejected and concluded as null hypothesis, and as the measure of difference in the attitudes of the respondents to tuberculosis when the profile is assumed, thus, the measure of a significant relationship between the level of awareness and the attitude towards tuberculosis is concluded as null hypothesis. The Action Plan was developed to raise understanding of tuberculosis among residents of Barangay Putol Tuy Batangas.