Londoners’ perceptions of tuberculosis

Health Committee

October 2015

2

Survey respondents A diverse group of 1,006 Londoners were included in our survey. The sample was weighted to reflect the population profile of London as below.

Research conducted between 14th and 20th August 2015. High-risk boroughs for tuberculosis in London are Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hounslow and Newham

51% 49%

Gender

Female

Male

19%

81%

Borough High-risk

Other boroughs

9%

22% 20%

17%

14%

18%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

Age group

49%

23%

13% 8% 6%

1% 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

White -British

Asian orAsianBritish

Black orBlack

British

White -Other

Mixed Otherethnicity

Ethnicity

3

Awareness of TB

A majority of Londoners say they know where to get information about TB but only a minority are confident they know the symptoms and risk factors.

5%

13%

14%

17%

17%

34%

35%

54%

62%

20%

45%

41%

24%

13%

44%

31%

32%

22%

76%

42%

45%

59%

70%

22%

34%

13%

15%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

If you have TB it means you probably also have HIV/AIDS

TB is a problem in my local area

TB is a problem in my ethnic group

TB is a disease of the past

TB is no more serious than a severe cold

TB is a problem in London

I know what the symptoms and risk factors for TB are

TB is more common in people who come from deprivedbackgrounds

I know where to get information on TB if I need it

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements on tuberculosis (TB)?

Agree Neither/Don't know (combined) Disagree

TB = tuberculosis

4

Means of transmission

We tested Londoners’ knowledge about how TB is transmitted. The responses from the list show that there are some common misconceptions about the ways the infection can be spread.

66%

56%

44%

36%

34%

30%

17%

11%

3%

18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Coughing or sneezing

Spitting

Kissing someone

Sharing needles or syringes

Contaminated food or water

Sharing glasses, plates or utensils

Unprotected sex

Genetically (passed down through family lines / hereditary)

It can’t be passed from person to person

Don’t know

In which of the following ways, if any, do you think TB can be passed from person to person?

5

Symptoms of TB

We tested Londoners’ perceived knowledge of TB symptoms. While most people correctly identified a cough, other symptoms were less well known. Almost a fifth of people said they didn’t know any symptoms from the list tested.

70%

59%

51%

48%

42%

33%

25%

12%

0%

18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Persistent cough (3 weeks or more)

Fever or high temperature

Tiredness

Weight loss

Loss of appetite

Night sweats

Vomiting

Rash

There are no symptoms

Don’t know

Which of the following, if any, do you think are symptoms of infectious TB disease?

6

Stigma around TB

While most people say TB wouldn’t affect relationships with friends and relatives, significant numbers would be scared or worried to admit to a diagnosis.

16%

27%

27%

30%

43%

47%

67%

73%

36%

30%

27%

46%

33%

38%

21%

21%

47%

43%

46%

24%

24%

15%

13%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

People catch TB because of poor lifestyle choices

I would be embarrassed if I had TB

I would be scared to tell my friends and family if I had TB

I would be happy to spend time with someone who has TB

I would be worried if I had to tell my employer I had TB

People with TB should avoid other people while being treated

If a friend or relative had TB it wouldn't affect our relationship

People with TB deserve the same support as cancer patients

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about TB?

Agree Neither/Don't know (combined) Disagree

19%

52%

53%

65%

70%

81%

93%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

If you have TB once, you can never get it again

There is a vaccine that is 100% effective for infectious TB

You can have TB without being infectious

You can have TB for years and not experience symptoms

TB is more common in people born outside the UK

Most cases of TB can be treated and cured with antibiotics

Severe cases of TB can lead to death

Percentage of respondents answering 'True'

For each of the following statements about TB please indicate if you think the statement is true or false

7

We tested Londoners’ knowledge of TB. Many had some background knowledge, although there is misplaced confidence in a TB vaccine.

Correct statements

Incorrect statements

Knowledge of TB

8

Testing for TB

Of the options listed, Londoners told us they are more likely to be tested for TB if it is part of a routine health check, or if advised to do so by a trusted person.

31%

48%

51%

54%

59%

61%

63%

73%

65%

48%

47%

43%

39%

35%

35%

25%

4%

4%

2%

2%

2%

5%

2%

2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

If others could not find out what I was being tested for

If I could be tested at my home or workplace

If I could get results on the same day

If I knew more about how the TB test works

If I knew more about the disease

If I had not previously been vaccinated against TB

If someone I trusted told me to get tested

If it was offered in a routine health check with a GP

What impact, if any, would each of the following have on how likely or unlikely you are to get tested or screened for TB?

More likely No difference Less likely

Further information

9

For full survey findings and to read the Health Committee’s report on tuberculosis in London please visit our website: www.london.gov.uk/assembly

Committee contact Lucy.Brant@london.gov.uk

Media enquiries Lisa.Lam@london.gov.uk

Health Committee Members

Dr Onkar Sahota (Chair) Labour

Andrew Boff (Deputy Chair) Conservative

Kit Malthouse Conservative

Murad Qureshi Labour

Valerie Shawcross Labour

Methodology

ComRes survey results, August 2015, commissioned by the Health Committee. ComRes interviewed 1,006 London adults online between 14th and 20th August 2015. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults in London aged 18+ by age, gender and area. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. The full polling results are available on the ComRes website at http://www.comres.co.uk/