Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis care among health workers in Southern Mozambique

Abstract

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) control is more likely to be achieved if the level of knowledge regarding TB is increased among health workers managing high-risk groups. No formal assessments regarding knowledge, attitudes and practises of health workers about TB have been published for Mozambique, a country facing challenges in the fight against TB, with a fragile health system and considerable work overload of health personnel. The main objective of the study was to determine the level of knowledge, identify attitudes and assess practices regarding TB care and control among health care workers of the district of Manhiça.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was performed through the use of a specifically designed Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) questionnaire in the district of Manhiça, a high tuberculosis and HIV burden rural area in Southern Mozambique. In this district, 14 health care facilities service a population of approximately 160,000 people. The questionnaire took 30–45 min to administer with external assistance not permitted. The survey contained 79 questions pertaining to four different areas: demographics, TB knowledge, attitudes and practices.ResultsThe study sample included 170 health care workers. The average knowledge score was 14.89 points (SD = 3.61) out of a total possible 26 points. Less than 30% of respondents had heard of Xpert MTB/RIF®. Seventy per cent agreed there was stigma associated with TB and 48.2% believed this stigma was greater than that associated with HIV. The average practice score was 3.2 out of 9 points (35.6%, SD = 2.4).ConclusionHealth care worker’s knowledge gaps identified in this study may result in substandard patient care. Specific deficiencies in understanding existed in terms of paediatric TB and Xpert MTB/RIF® testing. The present study provides impetus for tailored TB education among health care workers from a high TB burden rural area in Southern Mozambique.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12890-016-0344-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Tuberculosis program health care workers knowledge about tuberculosis in Kerbala governorate in 2017

“…In a previous national interview study in 2001/2002 of 492 health care workers (HCWs) in Iraq, a good level (almost 100%) of knowledge was reported among the majority of both groups, which was considered by the researchers as an indication of the good impact of the national TB program in Iraq 4 . However, these findings are not consistent with finding in most reviewed surveys in other countries [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] . A nationwide survey in Iran among 1016 participants working in TB laboratory in 50 universities in Iran indicated lack of optimum practice among HCWs regarding TB in Iran.…”

“…Similarly, a recent study among HCWs in Mozambique reported a low score of 14.89 points out of a total possible 26 points which indicates gaps in HCWs knowledge. 9 The significant association of knowledge with age and duration of work found in the present study was reported in most reviewed studies 4,7 , and this might be related to the small sample size with wide age range (25-59) in the present study.…”

“…A recent study among 170 HCWs in Mozambique identified gaps in HCWs knowledge about TB which may result in substandard patient care 9 . The average knowledge score was 14.89 points out of a total possible 26 points.…”

Obstacles in the detection and reporting of tuberculosis cases: a discursive analysis

“…The literature emphasizes that managers need to make efforts to capture more resources for action and to obtain new knowledge (1) , which have been of great importance in the detection and reporting of cases (13) . A study carried out in Mozambique revealed that health professionals still have difficulties in knowing about patient characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of TB (14) , a situation that suggests the need for constant training of professionals in this area.…”

“…The words of MS13, MTS15 and MTS8 leave traces that the lack of transport and the long distances associated with the absence of laboratories lead to an increase in the spread of the disease and higher costs for patients undergoing treatment (19)(20) . Likewise, the lack of transportation is pointed out by some authors as an obstacle in adherence to treatment (21) ; and in a context such as Mozambique, where transport is a serious problem and where reported cases annually are less than estimated (14) , the mobilization of various sectors such as education, health and transport to control TB can be important in increasing detection and reporting of cases (21) . A review of the detection and reporting system should be done by focusing on the increase of laboratories and qualified professionals as well as a double registration of cases that guarantees the validity of information beyond the modernization of the means of records.…”