Tuberculosis Infection Control Knowledge Research Articles

Knowledge and practices regarding tuberculosis infection control among nurses in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNurses are particularly vulnerable to nosocomial tuberculosis (TB) infection because, being in the frontline of healthcare provision, they are frequently exposed to patients with infectious TB disease. Although cost-effective measures are available for TB infection control (TBIC), they are often poorly implemented. Knowledge of TBIC is known to positively influence the practice of the measures. There is, however, paucity of data on the knowledge and practices regarding TBIC among nurses in Nigeria. This study was aimed at determining the levels of TBIC-related knowledge and practices of nurses in Ibadan, and their associated socio-demographic factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 200 nurses in two secondary health facilities, in May 2014. The mean knowledge and practice scores of the nurses were determined and logistic regression was utilized to explore the association between the scores and socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsThe respondents had mean knowledge and practice scores of 68.2 and 79.9% respectively. Using cut-off points of 80 and 100% for good knowledge and practice scores respectively, small proportions of the nurses had good scores – knowledge (10.5%) and practice (6%). Knowledge was not significantly associated with the socio-demographic characteristics of the nurses. Work experience was the only factor that was significantly associated with practices, with the more experienced nurses (> 18 years of work experience) having lower odds of obtaining good practice scores (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.06–0.94). There was also no significant association between knowledge and practice scores (the nurses were yet to be trained on the newly-introduced TBIC package at the time of the study).ConclusionsThe study revealed that small proportions of the nurses had good knowledge and practice scores. Its findings will be useful for the designing of interventions to improve TBIC among nurses and other healthcare workers, and to benchmark evaluation of the interventions. It is recommended that nurses should be trained on TBIC to equip them with necessary knowledge and skills. This, together with appropriate policy directives, and adequate monitoring and supervision will contribute to optimal implementation of TB preventive measures.

1361. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Infection Control Among Healthcare Workers in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundHealthcare centers are important sites for tuberculosis transmission, particularly in low-income settings where the burden of tuberculosis is high and infection control practices are often inadequate. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of drug-resistant tuberculosis infection control among the healthcare workers under the National Tuberculosis Control Program in Nepal.MethodsIn this descriptive cross-sectional survey, we studied the healthcare workers from all the functioning drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment centers across Nepal between March 1, 2018 and March 15, 2018. Nepal Health Research Council provided ethical clearance. Trained enumerators obtained informed consent and conducted face-to-face interviews with a pretested questionnaire to collect data on the basic characteristics of healthcare workers, their self-reported knowledge, attitude, and practice on tuberculosis infection control. We assigned a score of one to the correct response and zero to the incorrect or no response and calculated a composite score in each of the knowledge, attitude, and practice domains. We ascertained the healthcare workers as having good knowledge, appropriate attitude, and optimal practices when the composite score was at least 50%. We summarized the numerical variables with median and interquartile range (IQR) and the categorical variables with proportions.ResultsA total of 95 out of 102 healthcare workers from 11 drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment centers participated in the study. There were 46 male and 49 female respondents. The median age was 33 years (IQR 26–42). The majority of them (53, 56%) were mid-level paramedics. The median work experience in drug-resistant tuberculosis was 2 years (IQR 1–5). We found 91 (96%) respondents had a good knowledge of tuberculosis infection control with the median knowledge score of 14 (IQR 12–14), 49 (52%) respondents had an appropriate attitude with the median attitude score of 5 (IQR 4–6) and 35 (37%) respondents had optimal practices with the median practice score of 5 (IQR 4–7).ConclusionHealthcare workers at the drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment centers in Nepal had good knowledge of tuberculosis infection control but it did not translate into an appropriate attitude or optimal practices. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Tuberculosis infection control knowledge and practice by health care workers at National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Center, Zaria, North Western, Nigeria

Introduction: tuberculosis (TB) is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, multiplying the risk of transmission in the population and among health care providers. Nigeria was rated the fourth highest Tuberculosis (TB)-burden country in the world and number one in Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Interactions between health care providers and patients with active TB increase the risk of TB infection among Healthcare providers and other patients. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and practice of health care workers at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, Zaria, Nigeria on Tuberculosis Infection Control.

Tuberculosis infection control knowledge and attitudes among health workers in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends TB infection control (TBIC) in health care facilities. In 2008, the Ministry of Health Uganda initiated efforts to implement TBIC by training of health care workers (HCWs). This study was carried out to assess knowledge and attitudes towards TBIC among HCWs.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among HCWs in health facilities in the districts of Mukono and Wakiso in Uganda, from October 2010 to February 2011. We assessed HCWs’ knowledge of basic standards of TB diagnosis, treatment and TBIC and attitudes towards TBIC measures.ResultsTwenty four percent of the participants answered correctly all the basic TB knowledge questions. Overall, 62 % of the HCWs were judged to have adequate basic TB knowledge. At multivariable analysis, non-clinical cadres, were more likely to have poor basic TB knowledge, [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.43; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.27–0.68)]. Only 7 % of the respondents answered all the questions on TBIC correctly. Almost all the respondents (98 %; 529/541) knew that TB was transmitted through droplet nuclei, while only a third (34 %; 174/532) knew that masks do not protect the wearer from getting TB. Overall, 69 % (355/512) of the HCWs were judged to have adequate TBIC knowledge. At multivariable analysis, non-clinical cadres (aOR 0.61; 95 % CI 0.38–0.98) and having not attended TBIC training, (aOR 0.65; 95 % CI 0.42–0.99), were more likely to have poor TBIC knowledge. More than three quarters (77 %; 410/530) and 63 % (329/522) of the respondents had a high self-efficacy and perceived threat of acquiring TB at work, respectively. Having not attended a TBIC training was significantly associated with a low self-efficacy (aOR 0.52; 95 % CI 0.33–0.81) and low perceived threat of acquiring TB infection at work, (aOR 0.54; 95 % CI 0.36–0.81).ConclusionsOur study finds moderate number of HCWs with correct knowledge and attitudes towards TBIC. Efforts should be put in place to train all HCWs in TBIC, with particular emphasis on the non-clinical staff due to their limited grasp of TBIC measures.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding TB infection control among health science students in a TB-endemic setting

Medical and physiotherapy students in tuberculosis (TB)-endemic settings are at high risk of developing occupational TB. Didactic lectures are the traditional method for delivering education on the topic of TB infection control (TB-IC) to undergraduate health science students. The aim of this study was toevaluate the impact of a novel educational package for teaching TB-IC to undergraduate health science students in a TB-endemic setting. Undergraduate medical and physiotherapy students at Stellenbosch University, South Africa (n = 326) participated in a cross-sectional survey documenting TB-IC knowledge, attitudes and TB-IC practices at the training institution. A self-administered questionnaire was completed before and after a novel educational intervention which utilized the health belief model (and included personal testimonials from healthcare workers and an IC expert who had survived occupational TB). Students perceived themselves to be at high risk of occupational TB, but underestimated drug-resistant TB mortality. Pre-intervention knowledge of TB-IC measures was poor, but improved post-intervention (58% vs 78% [p < 0.001]). Senior students had better pre-intervention knowledge of N95 respirator use. Negative attitudes and TB-IC practices of senior staff at the training institution reportedly influenced those of students. TB-IC measures (natural and mechanical ventilation; airborne precaution signage; patient isolation) were reportedly poorly implemented. Access to personal protective equipment was problematic with 49% (87/177) of senior students stating that N95 respirators were never available. In conclusion, students lack knowledge of TB-IC measures and report poor implementation of TB-IC measures at their training institution. A novel structured educational intervention increased students’ knowledge of TB-IC measures and heightened awareness of occupational TB risk.

Knowledge and practice of tuberculosis infection control among health professionals in Northwest Ethiopia; 2011.

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, making the risk of infection transmission high in these countries. Despite high prevalence of TB and expected high probability of nosocomial transmission in Ethiopia, a rapid assessment done in 2008 revealed that most health facilities in Ethiopia do not use tuberculosis infection control (TBIC) practices. Patients and providers are therefore at risk of exposure to TB, especially at high case load facilities. The purpose of this study was to assess TBIC knowledge and practices among health professionals working in hospitals in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based hybrid study was implemented form August 2010 to January 2011. The subjects were health professionals who were proportionally selected from each hospital. Subjects self-administered a questionnaire that contained sections on socio-demographics and on TBIC knowledge and practice. Those answering ≥60% of knowledge questions correctly and ≥50% of practice questions correctly were considered to have good knowledge and practice, respectively.ResultsA total of 313 healthcare professionals were enrolled from four healthcare facilities. The response rate was 96%. Only 18.8% received in-service training. Among those who were trained, 74.4%, 95% CI (69.6, 79.3%) were found to have good knowledge and 63.2%, 95% CI (57.9, 68.6%) good practice on TBIC. Training was found to be a predictor of TBIC knowledge, AOR* 3.386 and 95% CI (1.377, 8.330) while knowledge of TBIC was a strong predictor of good TBIC practice, AOR* 10.667 and 95% CI (5.769, 19.721).ConclusionsThough the majority of the respondents had good TBIC knowledge and practice, a considerable proportion of healthcare professionals were not trained on TBIC. Respondents trained on TBIC were found to be more knowledgeable than those not trained. Similarly, respondents with good TBIC knowledge were 10 times more likely to have good TBIC practice compared to those with poor TBIC knowledge. Training was not found to have an effect on TBIC practice.*Adjusted Odds Ratio.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-014-0593-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Infection control knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

To better understand hospital infection control practices in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional evaluation of healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge, attitudes, and practices about hand hygiene and tuberculosis (TB) infection control measures. An anonymous 76-item questionnaire was administered to HCWs at 2 university hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Knowledge items were scored as correct/incorrect. Attitude and practice items were assessed using a Likert scale. In total, 261 surveys were completed by physicians (51%) and nurses (49%). Fifty-one percent of respondents were male; mean age was 30 years. While hand hygiene knowledge was fair, self-reported practice was suboptimal. Physicians reported performing hand hygiene 7% and 48% before and after patient contact, respectively. Barriers for performing hand hygiene included lack of hand hygiene agents (77%), sinks (30%), and proper training (50%) as well as irritation and dryness (67%) caused by hand sanitizer made in accordance with the World Health Organization formulation. TB infection control knowledge was excellent (more than 90% correct). Most HCWs felt that they were at high risk for occupational acquisition of TB (71%) and that proper TB infection control can prevent nosocomial transmission (92%). Only 12% of HCWs regularly wore a mask when caring for TB patients. Only 8% of HCWs reported that masks were regularly available, and 76% cited a lack of infrastructure to isolate suspected/known TB patients. Training HCWs about the importance and proper practice of hand hygiene along with improving hand sanitizer options may improve patient safety. Additionally, enhanced infrastructure is needed to improve TB infection control practices and allay HCW concerns about acquiring TB in the hospital.