Adhesion to Tuberculosis Preventive Measures by Health Workers in Diagnostic and Treatment Centers in Douala - Cameroon 

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem in Africa and more particularly in sub-Saharan countries such as Cameroon due to its impact on mortality, morbidity and socio-economic repercussions on the population in general, in this case in big cities like Douala. In 2018, the Littoral region in Cameroon recorded more than 5,000 cases of tuberculosis representing a quarter of the total number of TB patients in in the country. The application of measures to control TB infection and the regular surveillance of tuberculosis disease among health workers and at all levels of the health system constitute a public health priority, not only for health and administrative workers, but also for all users. This study assessed the adherence to preventive measures against TB by health workers of the diagnostic and treatment centers in the city of Douala. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among health workers from 12 TB screening and treatment centers in the city of Douala. It took place from July 20, 2020 to August 15, 2020. The data were collected using an observation grid designed on the basis of the technical guidelines for health professionals 4th Edition set up by the WHO and contextualized in Cameroon through the technical guidelines for health professionals in Cameroon 2020. The data collected was analyzed using the statistical software Epi Info 7.2.3.1. Results: The implementation of preventive measures (administrative, environmental and individual) against TB by health workers in the diagnostic and treatment centers in the city of Douala was insufficient with the respective adherence average of 79.16% for management measures, 71.80% for environmental measures and 54.76% for individual protection measures. Conclusion: The poor implementation of infection control measures in the TB diagnostic and treatment centers in the city of Douala can promote exposure of health workers to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An institutional effort required to resolve this issue and strengthen TB prevention activities.