Digital cordel literature to improve Primary Health Care users’ knowledge about tuberculosis

INTERVENTION: This is an open‐label, randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups and 150 participants allocated in a 1:1 ratio, with 75 participants in the intervention group and 75 in the control group. After completion of the pre‐test, allocation will be performed using a computer‐generated random sequence prepared by a researcher who will not participate in recruitment, intervention delivery, or outcome assessment. Because of the characteristics of the educational strategies, participants and researchers responsible for delivering the interventions will not be blinded. Participants allocated to the intervention group will individually watch the digital serialized cordel literature entitled “A Saga do Sr. Losis pela Cura da Tuberculose”, presented in an audiovisual format and comprising four sequential episodes entitled “A Teimosia”, “A Descoberta”, “O Tratamento”, and “A Esperança”. The educational technology addresses the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, modes of transmission, diagnosis, contact investigation, treatment, treatment adherence, prevention, and coping with disease‐related stigma. The intervention will be delivered in a private room at the Primary Health Care unit using a multimedia projector and speakers provided by the researchers, in a single session lasting approximately ten minutes. Participants allocated to the control group will receive standardized individual verbal educational guidance covering the same content, delivered by a previously trained researcher in a single session lasting approximately ten minutes. The immediate post‐test will be administered immediately after completion of the educational activity, and the delayed post‐test will be conducted 15 days later. After completion of the delayed post‐test, participants in the control group will be given access to the digital cordel literature. CONDITION: H02.403.720.750.380 Tuberculosis ; Health Education PRIMARY OUTCOME: A greater increase in the total tuberculosis knowledge score between the pre‐test T0 and the immediate post‐test T1 is expected in the intervention group compared with the control group. Knowledge will be assessed using the Tuberculosis Knowledge Assessment Instrument, comprising 14 statements distributed across the domains of transmission, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Each correct answer will receive one point, while incorrect answers or “I do not know” responses will receive zero points. The total score will range from 0 to 14 points, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge about tuberculosis. The immediate effect will be assessed by the change in score between T0 and T1 and by comparing this change between the intervention and control groups SECONDARY OUTCOME: Greater retention of tuberculosis knowledge 15 days after the educational intervention is expected in the intervention group compared with the control group. Knowledge retention will be assessed using the same 14‐statement instrument administered at the delayed post‐test T2. Each correct answer will receive one point, while incorrect answers or “I do not know” responses will receive zero points. The total score will range from 0 to 14 points, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge retention. Scores of the intervention and control groups at T2 will be compared, as well as changes in scores between T0 and T2 and between T1 and T2 INCLUSION CRITERIA: Users of both sexes; aged 18 years or older; registered at one of the participating Primary Health Care Units during the recruitment period; available to participate in the pre‐test, educational activity, immediate post‐test, and delayed post‐test conducted 15 days after the intervention; voluntarily agreeing to participate by signing the Informed Consent Form