Level of awareness among 100 parents in Barangay 734 Zone 80 District 5, Paco, Manila regarding the early detection of tuberculosis among their children / Rachelle Anne A. Lappay, Erwin P. Mabborang, Brishelbea K. Macabangun, Odillha M. Maglalang, Anecito S. Mantilla Jr., Romel D. Mercado Daniel T. Ng, Jennifer O. Nobles, Ma. Charina T. Operiano, Regina May S. Palmez, Alicia L. Primicias, BernadetteRagasa, Josephine T. Reyes, Arlene C. Rillo, Beverly M. Roque, Corazon Amor M. Roxas, Tisha P. Salazar, Felipe D. San Agustin Jr., Nancy S. Santiago, Cynthia D. Simundac, Hector F. Sorra, Rommel L. Tan, Maita N. Urbi and Fay V. Villaroza.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: In the Philippines, tuberculosis remains to be a formidable public health enemy. The 1992 Philippines Health Statistics, Department of Health (DOH) ranks it as the fifth cause of mortality and morbidity with rates of 209.6 and 36.7 per 100,000 respectively. In children younger than 15 years of age, it is estimated that there are 1.3 million TB cases and 150,000 deaths due to tuberculosis annually. This study seeks to increase the awareness of parents regarding the early detection of tuberculosis among their children. A prospective descriptive survey was done among 100 parents of Barangay 734, Zone 80, District 5 Paco, Manila. Sampling was done by simple random method. The health education campaign was undertaken through a lecture forum and literature distribution. Pre-test and post-test questionnaires were given to all subjects. Their levels of awareness were evaluated after the lecture forum. Comparisons of results were based on the 67 parents who responded to the post-questionnaires since the remaining 33 parents did not respond for reasons beyond the investigators control. Frequency and percentage distribution was used in testing the difference of the two sets of observations. Analysis of results revealed an increase in the scores of the respondents before and after the conduct of health education on tuberculosis. In the pre-test, 97.02% agreed that tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria and during the post-test 100% firmly believed that it is the major cause of TB showing a percentage difference of 2.98%. Ability of the parents to detect early symptoms of tuberculosis in their children was gauged by the Edward`s Score. Out of the sixty-seven respondents, twenty parents came back and there were 44 children examined. The major evidence of TB among children showed that 68.18% had cough, 47.72% had poor weight gain and 18.18% had exposure to tuberculosis. Results were then backed up by tuberculin testing (PPD). Out of the 44 children examined, 22 had an Edward score of greater than or equal to seven. Likewise, 31 were positive for PPD and 13 were negative. Chi-square method was employed to know if there is any difference between Edward`s Score and PPD. Comparison of results showed a distribution frequency of 3.841 indicating that there is a difference between the two Specificity of PPD is 84.62% and sensitivity is 64.52% shows that it is more specific than Edward`s score in detecting early primary pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculin reaction to previous BCG is usually less (<10mm induration) due to a natural TB infection. In diagnosis and contact investigations, induration of any size may be significant and interpretation should take into consideration of some evidence, such as history of exposure, the clinical condition, chest x-ray results, risk factors such as HIV seropositivity, immunosuppression, contact with a sputum positive patient and a prevalence of a non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infection.

Thesis - Department of Community & Family Medicine