tuberculosis in lima health literacy in lima tuberculosis knowledge amongst patients in lima

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Why is it important?

Peru has one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis (TB) in the Americas. The annual incidence is 117 cases per 100,000 population (2016). Lima, the capital of Peru, accounts for approximately 58% of the country’s TB cases. As in most countries with a high TB burden, TB case detection in Peru relies on passive case finding. This strategy relies on the assumption that the community is aware that a persistent cough or contact with a TB patient is an indication to seek formal health care. There are occasional educational campaigns, but the level of knowledge and awareness is not clear. Furthermore, in Latin America, very few studies have evaluated level of health literacy and its impacts. In Peru, only one study of gynecological patients evaluated health literacy and no study to date has examined the relationship between health literacy and TB knowledge. We believe that health literacy plays an important role in the acquisition of skills to navigate the health care systems and understand and implement health information to prevent the spread of diseases like TB. Our goal was to ascertain knowledge gaps in key areas relating to TB, to identify and prioritize subgroups for intervention, and to provide insight for policy and community interventions to increase health literacy.