The impact of an IEC campaign on tuberculosis awareness and health seeking behaviour in Delhi, India

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of an intensive IEC campaign regarding the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme launched by the Government of Delhi on awareness generation among the general population and improvement in self-reporting by symptomatic cases in Delhi, India. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. RESULTS: A pilot study wherein 1008 persons selected by systematic random sampling from the general population and 1012 patients selected from symptomatic cases reporting to DOTS centres were interviewed. Among the general population, 716 (71.0%) had been exposed to one or more IEC message through the media. The core message regarding symptoms, diagnosis, treatment centre and free treatment was recalled correctly by 144 (14.3%), 449 (44.5%), 659 (65.4%) and 900 (89.2%), respectively. In the post IEC period, a significant increase (P < 0.01) was seen in individuals self-reporting with symptoms to DOTS centres: the media message reportedly encouraged 36.3% of these to self-report. Prior to the IEC campaign only 49 (9.8%) patients had chosen a DOTS centre as first source of treatment, which increased significantly (P < 0.0001) to 104 (20.4%) post IEC. CONCLUSION: The IEC campaign launched by the Government of Delhi has been effective in raising awareness and improving self-reporting, but it requires intensification with suitable modification to reach all sectors.