DefinePK hosts the largest index of Pakistani journals, research articles, news headlines, and videos. It also offers chapter-level book search.
Title: EVALUATING TUBERCULOSIS (TB) KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES AMONG STAFF AT RURAL HEALTH CENTERS (RHCs), ISLAMABAD
Authors: Muhammad Wahb Bin Yaqoob, Sidra Shahid
Journal: The Research of Medical Science Review
| Category | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Y | 2024-10-01 | 2025-12-31 |
Publisher: Innovative Education Research Institute
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 2
Issue: 3
Language: English
Tuberculosis is the leading infectious disease killer, with 9.4 million new cases and 1.7 million deaths annually and increasing drug-resistant TB cases. Pakistan ranks fifth in the world in terms of the prevalence of TB having 265 tuberculosis cases per 100,000 people, with 510,000 new cases and 15,000 drug-resistant cases annually. Rural Health Centers (RHCs) are crucial to the global fight against TB providing diagnosis and treatment at the primary level as rural areas have higher rates of TB. In rural Islamabad, TB treatment facilities are inadequate, and many medical staff lack the education and interpersonal skills essential for effective treatment. A structured questionnaire, modified from a study conducted in Southern Mozambique, was used to perform a cross-sectional survey. The survey was translated into Urdu and was directed at HCWs working at RHCs in Islamabad. The data was gathered from 112 participants and analyzed using SPSS software. Data of 92 HCWs was selected of which almost half had never received TB-specific training. A high degree of general TB knowledge was indicated by the average knowledge score of 15.35 out of 20. Nonetheless, notable deficiencies were detected in several domains. Most respondents recognized the significance of infection control and community participation, as evidenced by their high attitude scores. However, stigma around tuberculosis persisted as a significant problem. There were gaps in the practical understanding of TB treatment and follow-up, making the practice competency moderate. The study shows that while HCWs at RHCs in Islamabad possess a strong basic grasp of TB, there are notable gaps in their knowledge on diagnosis and treatment. Although there are many people who have positive attitudes about tuberculosis, stigma still exists. Enhancing practical skills is necessary, highlighting the need for focused training interventions and ongoing professional development. By filling in these gaps, the TB burden in Pakistan can be eventually decreased by improving TB management and control in rural areas.
To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Rural Health Center (RHC) healthcare staff towards tuberculosis as a health issue and to make recommendations based on the research to enhance TB control initiatives at the RHC level.
A cross-sectional quantitative study design was employed. A structured questionnaire, modified from a previous study, was translated into Urdu and administered to healthcare workers (HCWs) at RHCs in Islamabad. Data from 112 participants were collected and analyzed using SPSS software, with 92 responses included in the final analysis.
graph TD
A[Study Design: Cross-sectional Quantitative] --> B[Questionnaire Development & Translation];
B --> C[Data Collection from HCWs at RHCs];
C --> D[Data Analysis using SPSS];
D --> E[Evaluation of KAP];
E --> F[Identification of Gaps and Recommendations];
The study highlights that while HCWs in Islamabad's RHCs possess a foundational understanding of TB, there are critical gaps in their knowledge regarding specific diagnostic methods and treatment protocols. The persistence of stigma, coupled with a significant proportion of negative attitudes towards TB patients, poses a barrier to effective TB control. Moderate practice competency suggests a need for enhanced practical skills and adherence to guidelines. The findings are consistent with similar studies in other low-resource settings, emphasizing the universal challenges in TB management in rural areas.
- HCWs demonstrated a good general level of TB knowledge (average score of 15.35 out of 20), with strong understanding of TB cause and transmission. However, deficiencies were noted in specific diagnostic and treatment knowledge.
- Attitudes towards TB control and prevention were generally positive, with high recognition of the importance of infection control and community engagement. However, stigma around tuberculosis persisted as a significant problem, with 80% of respondents holding negative attitudes towards TB patients and care.
- Practice competency was moderate, with 64% of respondents exhibiting unfavorable practices, indicating gaps in practical understanding of TB treatment and follow-up.
Healthcare workers at RHCs in Islamabad have a satisfactory general knowledge of TB but require more specialized training in diagnosis and treatment. While positive attitudes exist regarding infection control and community engagement, stigma remains a significant issue. Practice competency is moderate, indicating a need for improved practical skills and adherence to TB management guidelines. Targeted training, stigma reduction initiatives, and enhanced resource allocation are crucial for improving TB management and control in rural areas.
- Pakistan ranks fifth in the world in terms of TB prevalence with 265 cases per 100,000 people. (Confirmed by text)
- Globally, approximately 9.4 million people acquire TB annually and 1.7 million die due to the infection. (Confirmed by text)
- The study collected data from 112 participants, with 92 responses included in the analysis. (Confirmed by text)
Loading PDF...
Loading Statistics...