Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Focus: Evaluating Public Concerns, Treatment Perceptions, and Awareness in King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

This is supplementary data.Backgroiund: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) remains a neglected component of tuberculosis (TB) control in South Africa, despite its potential to progress to active disease and perpetuate transmission. This study assessed public awareness, perceptions of LTBI treatment, and perceived barriers to care in a high-burden rural setting of the Eastern Cape.Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based survey was conducted among adults residing in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality. A structured questionnaire captured participants’ knowledge of LTBI, concern about disease progression, understanding of consequences, and perceived barriers to testing and treatment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Pearson’s correlation, and multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of LTBI knowledge and attitude, controlling for demographic variables such as age, gender, and education.Results: Awareness of LTBI differed significantly across age groups (p = 0.0414), peaking among participants aged 20–29 years (52.7%; 95% CI: 44.7–60.7) and declining sharply among those aged 50–59 (15.8%; 95% CI: 5.5–37.6). Belief in the necessity of treatment was strongest among those aged