BACKGROUND:

Tuberculosis spreads by airborne particles from open case of pulmonary tuberculosis. Unsafe sputum disposal practices and bad cough hygiene are the major causes of spread of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).OBJECTIVES:To study the perceptions regarding tuberculosis spread and practices of sputum disposal and cough hygiene among PTB patients.METHODOLOGY:This study was conducted among 100 diagnosed sputum–positive TB patients attending OPD and IPD of respiratory medicine department and DOTS centre of tertiary care hospital.RESULTS:Unsafe sputum disposal practice was followed by 44% of  the patients; it was higher among females (74%), patients of lower socio–economic status (64%) and those without a family history of TB (75%).CONCLUSIONS:Majority of the patients practiced unsafe sputum disposal methods and incorrect cough hygiene ; in spite of  having knowledge of spread of tuberculosis.