A COMPARATIVE STUDY FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ALCOHOLICS AND NON-ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS RECEIVING ANTI-TUBERCULAR THERAPY – A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background:  Tuberculosis is a global threat and has a very high prevalence every year. Knowledge regarding the tuberculosis is very significant for the detection, prevention and treatment at appropriate time and also to alleviate the quality of life of the patient. This study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and quality of life of the patients receiving anti-tubercular therapy. Materials and Methods: It was an observational study where 100 patients (50 alcoholics and 50 non-alcoholics) included in the study were asked a framed questionnaire to assess their knowledge regarding tuberculosis and quality of life. Results: Out of 100 patients the highest reported answer among alcoholics was cough (37) as compared to non-alcoholics cough (45). Both alcoholics (35) and non-alcoholics (32) reported air droplets as the prominent mode of acquiring of Tuberculosis, whereas covering mouth and nose (28) and good nutrition (44) were reported as the most known parameter for the prevention of Tuberculosis by alcoholics and non-alcoholics respectively. The Quality of life of non-alcoholics patient were found better as compared to alcoholics. Conclusion: Our findings suggests that the quality of life of the alcoholic people is affected and is comparatively lower as compared to non-alcoholics and also the alcoholics possessed minimal knowledge regarding the disease.

Keywords: Quality of life, knowledge assessment, Anti-tubercular therapy