Knowledge, attitudes and practices on tuberculosis(TB) management among private health care workers in Kawangware, Nairobi, kenya

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate TB-related knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to diagnosis, transmission and management among private health care workers (PHCW) in Kawangware; and to determine if there was any association between participation in recent training with improved TB management. STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative cross-sectional survey assessing TB related knowledge, attitudes and practices among private health care workers in Kawangware. PARTICIPANTS: Health care workers employed to the selected private health facilities in Kawangware with formal clinic and/or public health training. METHODS: Data was collected through self-administration of close-ended questionnaires by participants that were conveniently recruited on the dat. Descriptive analysis and chi-squared analysis were primarily used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Suboptimal performance on TB-related knowledge, attitudes and practices was fou.nd among the participants. . Although only 18% of r.espondents had poor knowledge of TB, review of responses separately showed on overall poor performance. Significant associations with recent training were only found between recent training and some aspects of management of pediatric and TB_HfV co-infection, and diagnostic test requested. CONCLUSION: Health care workers should be included as a target group for ACSM activities to increase competence in TB management and compliance with national guidelines. Interventions should address a combination of the varying influences on behavior, focusing on specific gaps identified to improve impact.