Objective  To examine the status of knowledge about the prevention and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among rural residents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (Ningxia) and to provide references for developing TB prevention and treatment measures and carrying out health education in the population.

  Methods  The study data on 20 354 rural residents in 5 counties of Ningxia were collected in March 2015 during a survey sponsored by Ningxia health administrations collaborating with Harvard University and Oxford University. The information on awareness of TB prevention and treatment of the residents were extracted and analyzed.

  Results  Among the residents, the overall knowledge rate of TB prevention and treatment was 48.5%; the awareness rates for TB-related knowledge domains were 51.8% for disease severity, 9.1% for main symptoms, 49.5% for infection route, 44.0% for prevention measures, 15.7% for susceptible population, 93.9% for seeking related medical service, and 75.5% for treatment outcome, respectively. The top three ways of acquiring TB-related knowledge were from family member, friend, neighbor and colleague, through television programs, and from medical staff, which were reported by 54.8%, 33.4%, and 29.4% of the residents. Of all the residents, 61.2%, 60.3%, and 41.3% preferred to get TB-related knowledge from television programs, medical workers, and brochures/posters/other printed materials, respectively.

  Conclusion  The awareness rate of TB prevention and treatment knowledge was low among rural residents in Ningxia and health education on TB control needs to be promoted and improved in the population.