The London Assembly Health Committee report ‘Tackling TB in London’ looks into the problems TB poses for the capital and how it can be addressed. TB is seen as a disease of the past, yet it poses a highly significant public health challenge in the capital. Many Londoners simply don’t know what TB is, how it is transmitted, what the symptoms are or how it is treated.

1. Londoners’ perceptions of tuberculosis
Health Committee
October 2015

2. 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 or
Asian
British
Black or
Black
British
White -
Other
Mixed Other
ethnicity
Ethnicity

3. 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 deprived
backgrounds
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. 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. 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. 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

7. 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. 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

9. 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/