Abstract:
Background: Despite enormous attempts to stop the spread of tuberculosis (TB), TB
continues to be a major global public health concern. A crucial group for influencing
future public health understanding and policies is represented by students. Even though
TB is a well-known disease, students’ misunderstandings and knowledge gaps might
undermine successful TB control initiatives. This study aimed to identify student’s TB
misconceptions and its impact on public health. A comprehensive literature review was
conducted to explore researches focused on TB knowledge among students. Common
themes from the chosen studies, such as knowledge of TB, its transmission, symptoms,
risk factors and preventive methods were examined. We looked at how these information
gaps can affect public health measures. The review revealed substantial gaps in students'
knowledge of TB. Many students lacked a thorough understanding of TB symptoms, risk
factors, and transmission. TB-related myths and stigma were also widely held. There is
a need for educational initiatives, given the lack of understanding regarding TB
prevention and potential therapies. The impression of tuberculosis (TB) as a past illness
rather than a present-day hazard was also noticed, underscoring the demand for a revised
public health message. The identified gaps regarding TB among students highlight the
necessity of specialized educational efforts. Students can become champions for TB
prevention and control by including TB-related issues in educational curriculum,
workshops, and awareness campaigns. Wider spread of factual information can be
facilitated by utilizing digital platforms and interactive teaching tools.
