Upon the initiative of the SCM Corporate Foundation for Development of Ukraine within the framework of the project "Stop tuberculosis in Ukraine" there have been summarized the latest results of the sociological surveys called "Perception of TB problem by the population of Ukraine: level of awareness, actualization and motivation aspects".
 
One of the key criteria of general level of the population awareness about TB is the knowledge about the possibility to cure TB. Two out of three Ukrainians know that TB is a curable disease, every fifth thinks on the contrary and 14% were not able to give a clear answer to the question. In Donetskaya Oblast the share of people unaware of the possibility to cure TB is a bit lower in comparison with other regions of Ukraine. 
 
Less than a third (28%) describe the situation with TB as an epidemic and each second (52%) - as very close to epidemic and 8% believe that the situation is quite stable and under control. Every tenth citizen in the country could not assess the TB situation in Ukraine.
 
22% of the respondents believe that TB problem in their region is not serious or they are just not aware of the current situation. The share of people in Donetskaya Oblast really concerned about the TB epidemic in their region is a little higher than in the country as a whole and is equal to 83%. The Ukrainians believe that there is no real threat for them to be infected with TB while only a third of the Donbass region inhabitants exclude this possibility.
 
In reply to the question regarding the actions in case of TB symptom detection the majority (92%) noted that they would apply for help to the doctor, 3% would start self-treatment, 1% would apply to representatives of non-traditional medicine and 4% did not know what they would do. The credit to the state medicine is demonstrated by the fact that not a single respondent believes that a TB infected patient can get all the required help in his region. The citizens of Donetskaya Oblast are even more skeptical: 39% of the population believe that a patient can just get a little help. Only 18% of the Ukrainians know that TB diagnostic is free and only 10% know about its guaranteed free treatment.
 
The answers about the attitude towards people infected with TB were even more complicated and ambiguous. Every second noted that they have sympathy towards TB infected people but still would try to keep away from them. It’s obvious that despite the declared sympathy towards people infected with TB half of the respondents would not employ them (51%). In Donetskaya Oblast the level of tolerance toward TB infected people is even lower compared with the national level, 61% of the respondents would not employ a TB infected person.
 
To the opinion of the citizens, the most efficient tool in combating TB would be improvement of social and economic situation in the country. Three out of four Ukrainians keep to this opinion (73%). The next important tool is implementation of a comprehensive TB combating program at the state level (61%). The Foundation for Development of Ukraine has established and operates a TB hot line; all your questions will get listened to and answered. Please, call: 8-800-503-0-800.
 
S. NETYOSOVA
"Kochegarka" Newspaper
October 11, 2007