Abstract
M.A. (Public Health)
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of South Africa's most serious public health problems, with the country ranking sixth in the world with the highest TB burden in 2015. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare workers (HCWs) are key elements in the control the spread of the disease. Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge level, attitudes and practices of HCWs towards the care of TB patients in primary healthcare facilities of uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal province. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study with a sample of 386 randomly selected participants was conducted focusing on HCWs primary healthcare facilities of uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The relationship between independent and dependent variables was examined using logistic regression. Results: There is lack of knowledge amongst healthcare workers who have less than 10 years of working experience, since they did not received training in TB management in the past 5 years (OR-2.57, 95% CI 1.56-4.22), not received training in TB infection and prevention in the past 5 years (OR-2.20, 95% CI 1.35-3.38). Furthermore, participants with less than 10 years of working experience disagree that they know measures used to prevent TB (OR-1.52 95% CI 0.68-3.50), and disagree that they can give health education related to TB (OR-2.56, 95% CI 1.09-4.94). Participants with less than 10 years of work experience displayed negative attitude regarding care for TB patient, and when asked if they "would accept to examine/treat TB/MDR-TB patient," they said "No" (OR 2.38, 95% CI (1.47-3.88), while they also answered with “No” when they were asked if they would be interested in working at a TB/MDR-TB clinic or ward (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.42-3.74). Participants with less than 10 years of working experience were not always wearing N95 respirator when caring for patient with TB symptoms (OR 5.24, 95% CI 1.12-24.50), while they also answered with not sure whether they do collect sputum for testing in all TB presumptive patients (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.62-8.00) and on other hand they were not sure whether they do perform TB screening for all patients entering the facility (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.41-6.93)...