Author:
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Noe, Andrés; Ribeiro, Rafaela M.; Anselmo, Rui; Maixenchs, Maria; Sitole, Layce; Munguambe, Khátia; Blanco, Silvia; Souef, Peter le; García-Basteiro, Alberto L.
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Abstract:
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BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (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 Manhica. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional
study was performed through the use of a specifically designed
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) questionnaire in the
district of Manhica, 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. RESULTS: The 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(R). 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). CONCLUSION: Health 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(R) testing. The present study provides impetus
for tailored TB education among health care workers from a high
TB burden rural area in Southern Mozambique. |