Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Tuberculosis Among University Students at a Public University in the Interior of São Paulo

Tuberculosis (TB) remains among neglected diseases despite its public health impact in Brazil. The post-COVID-19 pandemic scenario has worsened this situation by compromising diagnosis, treatment, and case follow-up. One persistent challenge is the possible lack of knowledge and preparedness among health professionals. Considering that training during undergraduate education is essential for adequate TB management, this study investigates TB-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among health sciences students at a public university in the interior of São Paulo. To investigate TB-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices, as well as their variations throughout undergraduate education, among health sciences students at a public university in the interior of São Paulo. Observational, cross-sectional, analytical, quantitative study conducted with students from medicine, nursing, nutrition, and biomedicine. A validated, adapted, and translated questionnaire with 50 items was applied: 20 on knowledge (binary responses), 15 on attitudes, and 15 on preventive practices (both on a 6-point Likert scale). After signing informed consent, questionnaires were administered in person. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS (version 21), with descriptive statistics, Student’s t -test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee (CAAE 76863924.1.0000.5411). In the first stage, data from only 87 students were analyzed: 78% medicine and 22% nursing, mean age 22 years, predominance of women (64%) and single participants (99%). Smokers accounted for 9.2%, and 8% reported a family history of TB. Mean knowledge score was 10.6, with slightly higher scores among nursing students (11.2). Mean attitude and practice scores were 72 and 61, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between courses. Data indicate gaps in TB training. The results show deficiencies in health students’ knowledge and preparedness regarding tuberculosis. These findings, in the post-pandemic context, reinforce the need for more effective educational strategies during undergraduate training, aiming at early diagnosis, prevention, and disease control.