DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2025.v13i10.009

Pages: 1745-1748

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is still a health issue worldwide, especially in developing countries. Rapid diagnostic methods have improved early detection and treatment outcomes. However, awareness and knowledge of these tools among medical students future healthcare providers are crucial. The goal is to find out how well-informed and knowledgeable medical students at Osh State University's International Medical Faculty (IMF) are about rapid TB diagnostic methods. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among IMF students using structured questionnaires and visual data collection. The survey explored students’ knowledge about TB diagnosis, particularly rapid methods such as GeneXpert (CBNAAT), sputum smear microscopy, and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA). The majority of students correctly identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the cause of TB, demonstrating their awareness of the disease as a major infectious disease. Among diagnostic methods, 85% recognized GeneXpert as a rapid and sensitive tool, while 60% knew about sputum smear microscopy. However, only 35% were familiar with IGRA and molecular line probe assays. Almost seventy percent of students agreed that early and prompt diagnosis is crucial to reducing transmission Main sources of knowledge were lectures (65%) and WHO guidelines (25%). Conclusion: The findings highlight good general awareness but limited detailed understanding of modern rapid TB diagnostics among medical students. It is suggested that practical sessions and instruction in molecular diagnostics be incorporated into the curriculum.