KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS: ADVANCES IN TEACHING

Annually, more than 80,000 new cases of tuberculosis are reported in Brazil, with approximately 5,000 deaths, revealing gaps in strategies for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as a lack of investment in research and development in the field. Proper recognition of the disease, adequate care, and an empathetic attitude toward people infected with tuberculosis by health professionals can change this scenario. To identify knowledge about TB among undergraduate Nursing students at a public university in the interior of São Paulo. Observational, cross-sectional, quantitative study using a translated and adapted questionnaire with 20 items, in addition to the collection of sociodemographic data, with data collected from March to June 2025. A total of 111 students participated, most of them female (85.6%), aged up to 25 years (89.1%), and single (95%). Of these, 17.1% were smokers and 5.4% had a family member infected with TB. Mean scores ranged from 10.3 to 14.5, with higher scores in the final years of the program. The minimum score also increased over time: 2, 6.8, and 12, respectively. At least 70% of the questions were answered correctly by 10.3% of first-year students; 23.5% of second-year students; 33.3% of third-year students; and 70.8% of fourth- and final-year undergraduate students. A gradual improvement in knowledge about TB was observed at the studied institution, reflecting relevant changes made to the curriculum, as well as improvements in teaching methods.