Health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on tuberculosis infection control, Nepal

BMC Infectious Diseases

Research Article

Rajendra Raj Wagle¹  Prem Basel¹  Dipesh Bhattarai²  Barsha Thapa³  Anita Shrestha⁴ 

[1] Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal;Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Save the Children in Nepal/Regional TB Center, Kaski, Pokhara, Nepal;University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;

关键词: Tuberculosis;    Infection control;    Health care workers;    Knowledge;    Attitudes and practices;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12879-017-2828-4

 received in 2017-02-03, accepted in 2017-11-12,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundInfection control remains a key challenge for Tuberculosis (TB) control program with an increased risk of TB transmission among health care workers (HCWs), especially in settings with inadequate TB infection control measures. Poor knowledge among HCWs and inadequate infection control practices may lead to the increased risk of nosocomial TB transmission.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 28 health facilities providing TB services in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. A total of 190 HCWs were assessed for the knowledge, attitudes and practices on TB infection control using a structured questionnaire.ResultsThe level of knowledge on TB infection control among almost half (45.8%) of the HCWs was poor, and was much poorer among administration and lower level staff. The knowledge level was significantly associated with educational status, and TB training and/or orientation received. The majority (73.2%) of HCWs had positive attitude towards TB infection control. Sixty-five percent of HCWs were found to be concerned about being infected with TB. Use of respirators among the HCWs was limited and triage of TB suspects was also lacking.ConclusionsOverall knowledge and practices of HCWs on TB infection control were not satisfactory. Effective infection control measures including regular skill-based training and/or orientation for all categories of HCWs can improve infection control practices in health facilities.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017