A questionnaire on source of information regarding TB, signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment duration and personal and community hygiene relating to TB, was administered to 446 students and employees with an educational status of high school certificate and above.

The main source of information were books and magazines and 86% were aware that the TB germ was the causative agent. Symptoms of TB such as cough (85%) and loss of weight (74%) were well known. Other symptoms such as chest pain (29%), fever (27%) were less known. Sputum examination as a diagnostic tool was known to 68% , while 80% knew about radiograph being used to diagnose the disease. Cough as a method of spread was known to 91%. In this questionnaire the duration of treatment was the least known fact. 28% felt that treatment could be stopped if symptoms disappeared. 16% were aware that the method of sputum disposal was by incineration. The implications are discussed.

Case finding under the NTP in India is a passive process limited to chest symptomatics in the community who attend government health institutions on their own for relief of symptoms. It is, therefore, essential that the community is aware of the basic facts about TB. This study was undertaken in 24 randomly selected villages of Sri Perumbudur (Tq), Chengai Anna (Dist) Tamil Nadu to assess the initial level of knowledge about TB and again after providing health education on TB to evaluate its effectiveness after 2 years. Every fifth household starting from randomly chosen location was visited by Medical Social Worker (MSW) and a total of 466 respondents were interviewed. The head of the household or in his or her absence any other responsible family member was interviewed to find out the initial level of knowledge of TB using a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. The community was then educated about the important aspects of TB by means of pamphlets, film shows, exhibitions, role plays and group discussions. After two years, in the same households, 433 (93%) respondents were interviewed using the same interview schedule.

Two-thirds of the respondents were females and half of them were in the age group of 25-45 years. As regards literacy status, 53% were illiterates. There was an overall increase of knowledge on various aspects of TB, ranging from 18-58%. In all, 45% respondents initially and 91% after health education answered correctly that both rich and poor are affected by TB, 38% initially were aware that both adults and children are affected by TB and afterwards 93% were aware of these facts. Prior to health education, 37% knew prevalence of TB is similar in urban and rural areas, this increased to 95% after health education. Regarding knowledge that investigation and treatment facilities are available free of cost at Govt. Health Institutions 67% to begin with and almost all 98% afterwards responded correctly. About the need of examining the close family members of TB patients, 67% were initially aware and after health education, it increased to 98%. Further 15% were aware of cough hygiene prior to health education, which increased to 48% subsequently.

As regards the source of information on TB, 70% mentioned verbal communication, i.e., through TB patients and others, as the major source followed by pamphlets (21%), mass media (14%) and others (15%).

It is necessary to consider the type of community and the available resources while planning health education strategies. For health education to be effective, and sustained, it should be a continuous process.

This paper reports the feasibility of involving unpaid National Service Scheme (NSS) male student volunteers in a city-based TB programme in supplying drugs and retrieving non-compliant TB patients. Twenty five students were selected after assessing their attitude and were trained on TB drug delivery, home visits and motivation of non-compliant patients. Twenty-three sputum positive patients identified in a medical camp were started on an 8-month SCC regimen. Students supplied the drugs on a weekly basis and defaulters were visited. The treatment completion rate was 83% and defaulter retrieval was 57%. All patients had sputum smear conversion by 2 months and one relapsed during the 24-month follow-up.