Knowledge, attitudes and practices of accompanions of tuberculosis patients followed in the respiratory departement of the Hassan II university hospital

<b>Introduction:</b> Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main causes of hospitalizations in developing countries. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on TB of those accompanying TB patients. <b>Methods:</b> This is a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the respiratory department of Hassan II University Hospital in Agadir. A questionnaire was administered to all accompanying adults. Patient recruitment is underway. <b>Results:</b> 100 companions were initially recruited; with a sex ratio of 0.5 and an average age of 34. The companions were illiterate in 46% of the cases, with a low socioeconomic level. 58% did not know the infectious nature of the disease (cooling episode, tumor disease, lung disease, evil eye). The symptomatology of TB was known in 76% of patients and in the contagiousness of the disease in 80%. Otherwise, some companions had incorrect information on the modes of TB transmission (80% air, 40% blood, 33% sexual). The rate of correct answers on the curability and the lethality of the disease in the absence of adequate treatment was 90%. Among 72% gave a good answer on the existence of treatment but only 36% who knew it’s free. prejudices about the disease are frequent and seems to be the basis of harmful attitudes and behaviors towards tuberculosis patients (do not sit with tuberculosis patient in 74% cases, do not eat with tuberculosis patient in 80%; not reveal the diagnosis of his relative who has TB (partner 54%, neighbor 74%)). <b>Conclusion:</b> Improving the care of tuberculosis patients requires education and awareness-raising among the general population.