RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Knowledge, attitudes and practices of accompanions of tuberculosis patients followed in the respiratory departement of the Hassan II university hospital JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1442 DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.1442 VO 56 IS suppl 64 A1 Hind Serhane A1 Khadija Aitnasser A1 Fatiha Bounoua A1 Houda Moubachir YR 2020 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/56/suppl_64/1442.abstract AB Introduction: 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.Methods: 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.Results: 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%)).Conclusion: Improving the care of tuberculosis patients requires education and awareness-raising among the general population.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 1442.This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).