Evaluating the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Tuberculosis Among Health Sciences Students

Abstract

Background: Liberia is among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis worldwide. Health sciences students, who are future health professionals, have essential roles in curtailing the spread of TB. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of tuberculosis (TB) among health sciences students. Methods: This study used a quantitative cross-sectional design to assess Medical, Pharmacy, and Public Health students at the University of Liberia's KAP regarding TB using a modified previously used self-administered questionnaire reviewed by subject experts from 1 April 2025 to 23 April 2025. SPSS 26 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and multivariate logistic regression tests were used for analysis. Results: In total, 630 students participated, of which 51.7% were females, 83% were aged 24 or above, 81.6% were single, and 96.7% had never smoked. The KAP levels were 65.9%, 97.3%, and 94.8%, respectively. Higher TB knowledge was significantly associated with being enrolled in the Medical program (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.28-3.76, p < 0.05), being in year 4 and 5 (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.09-2.98, p < 0.05; OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.08-4.78, p < 0.05), being unemployed (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.09-2.31, p < 0.05), and having personal acquaintance with individuals diagnosed with TB (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.11-2.42, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The knowledge level among students was good. They had a positive attitude, and their practice levels were good. However, gaps remain in understanding latent TB and proper disinfection methods for TB-related materials. Strengthening the health curriculum to address these specific knowledge gaps is recommended to better align students' knowledge with their attitudes and practices.

Keywords: attitude; knowledge; medical; pharmacy; practice; public health; students; tuberculosis.