Infection and Drug Resistance · 6 authors, 6 centres
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A cross-sectional survey of 3,205 Indonesians found that 56.4% had high knowledge, 91% had high attitude, but only 38% had high perception regarding tuberculosis. Key determinants included age, marital status, income, residence, and occupation. The findings highlight the need for targeted health education to improve TB perception and control in Indonesia.
**Background:** Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health burden in Indonesia, which ranked second globally for TB cases in 2021 with 969,000 cases. Improving community knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) is crucial for disease control. This study aimed to assess KAP toward TB and identify sociodemographic determinants among the Indonesian general population.
**Methods:** An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2022 across all 34 provinces in Indonesia. Using convenience sampling, 3,205 participants aged ≥17 years with internet access completed a validated 25-item questionnaire covering knowledge (10 items), attitude (6 items), and perception (9 items). Scores were converted to a 0–100 scale and categorized as low (<50%), moderate (50–70%), or high (>70%). Bivariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression identified sociodemographic determinants, reporting adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
**Key Results:** Among 3,205 participants (60.9% female, 37.3% aged 17–25, 33.9% high school educated, 30.7% students, 57.8% never married, 48.5% low income, 50.8% rural), 56.4% had high knowledge, 91.0% had high attitude, and 38.0% had high perception. Notably, 97% correctly identified that TB is curable and diagnosed via sputum tests, but misconceptions persisted: 71% believed treatment duration is 1–2 weeks, and 65% thought TB transmits via breast milk. Independent determinants of high knowledge were age 26–35 years (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.19–1.97), married status (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00–1.39), and middle income (aOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63–0.93, indicating lower odds vs. high income). For attitude, living in a village was associated with lower odds of high attitude (aOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–0.98). For perception, being a civil servant was associated with higher odds of high perception (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.09–2.13).
**Clinical Implications:** While most Indonesians have good knowledge and attitudes toward TB, perception remains moderate, with 45% feeling uncomfortable around TB patients. Misconceptions about transmission and treatment persist, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and non-adherence. Targeted health education strategies should focus on younger adults (17–25 years), rural residents, and lower-income groups to improve TB perception and reduce stigma. Leveraging community health workers, mass media, and pharmacy-based education could enhance awareness and support Indonesia’s goal of TB elimination by 2035.