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Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infectiousdiseases caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and continues to be a majorpublic health problem worldwide especially in low and middle-incomecountries. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among final yearmedical students of Karachi regarding management of Tuberculosis.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two medicalcolleges located in different districts of Karachi from January 2017 to June2017. The inclusion criterion of the study was being a final year MBBS studentof the college whereas refusal to give written informed consent was theexclusion criterion of the study. Research instrument was a semi structuredquestionnaire administered by the principal investigator to all the participants.Data collected were analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 20.Results: Only 24.1% students were able to correctly identify that 2 samplesare needed for confirmation of TB diagnosis, only 21.7% knew whichmedicines were used in category 2 continuation phase of treatment, only41.4% knew the second line drugs of tuberculosis, and only 43.5% knew thatperipheral neuritis is the side effect of isoniazid. Less than half stated correctlythat optic neuropathy effect is caused by ethambutol while hepatotoxic effectsare caused by INH (47.8% and 42.9% respectively). Less than half (49.1%)students said that if tuberculosis patient takes medicines regularly thesymptoms will disappear while only 54.0% stated that a patient with latenttuberculosis should not be isolated.Conclusion: Basic knowledge gaps regarding tuberculosis managementhave been highlighted in this study. This identification may help to developtools to fill the gaps in the future with updated tuberculosis managementincluded in the medical curriculum.