Abstract
BackgroundTo prevent the spread of infection of tuberculosis (TB), sufficient knowledge and safe practices regarding occupational exposure are crucial for all employees working in TB hospitals.ObjectivesTo explore and describe the knowledge and practices of employees working in three specialised TB hospitals in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, regarding occupational exposure to TB.MethodsA quantitative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted using convenience sampling to have 181 employees at the three hospitals elected to complete the self-administered questionnaire, which was distributed in December 2016. Three scores on a scale of 0–10 were calculated per participant: knowledge, personal practice and institutional practice. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised.ResultsApproximately, one-third (34%) of the participants were between the ages of 36 and 45 years. Most of the participants (63%) attended high school and less than one-third (28%) had a tertiary qualification. The majority of participants (62%) had not received any clinical training. Participants displayed high scores (> 6) for knowledge (75%; mean = 6.65), personal practice (68%; mean = 6.12) and institutional practice (51%; mean = 6.15). The correlation between knowledge and personal practice was found to be non-significant (r = 0.033). An analysis of variance revealed that Knowledge is significantly related to age and education level.ConclusionEmployees’ knowledge regarding occupational TB exposure was generally high, but they were not necessarily practicing what they knew. Further research is required regarding appropriate managerial interventions to ensure that employees’ practices improve, which should reduce the risk of occupational TB exposure.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) is currently regarded as the leading cause of death from infectious diseases
Tuberculosis is ranked ninth as the leading cause from a single infectious agent, ranking above the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
This is similar to the findings of a study conducted in Rarankuwa, which revealed that 93% of the participants had a good level of knowledge regarding TB-control measures, but the majority of participants did not comply with the correct practices in this regard (Mndzebele & Kandolo 2014)
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is currently regarded as the leading cause of death from infectious diseases. The disease burden caused by TB is decreasing globally in most countries, this is not sufficient to obtain the first (2020) milestones of the End TB Strategy as part of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This strategy entails specific targets for 2030 for a 90% reduction in the absolute number of TB deaths as well as an 80% reduction in TB incidence (new cases per 100 000 population per year), compared with levels in 2015 (World Health Organization 2018). To prevent the spread of infection of tuberculosis (TB), sufficient knowledge and safe practices regarding occupational exposure are crucial for all employees working in TB hospitals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
