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.

This study's aim was to identify the main difficulties faced by caregivers of patients receiving comfort care at home and how they perceive the support provided by the Family Health Strategy. Qualitative research involving 50 caregivers providing comfort care to patients cared for by the Family Health Strategy in a city in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse methodological strategy. The results show that countless difficulties are experienced, which are linked to a lack of support, of equipment and financial resources and a lack of preparation to deal with death in the context of terminal illness. The program actions are limited and sporadic. The difficulties caregivers experience reflect unpreparedness combined with social and economic instability experienced in the home context. Additionally, caregivers are confronted with restricted and discontinued care provided by the program. DESCRIPTORS:Family health program. Palliative care. Primary health care. Caregivers. DIFICULDADES DE CUIDADORES DE PACIENTES EM CUIDADOSPALIATIVOS NA ESTRATÉGIA DA SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA RESUMO: Objetivou-se desvelar as principais dificuldades enfrentadas pelos cuidadores de pacientes em cuidados paliativos no domicílio e compreender a percepção dos mesmos em relação ao suporte oferecido pela Estratégia da Saúde da Família. Pesquisa qualitativa realizado com 50 cuidadores de pacientes em cuidados paliativos, atendidos pela Estratégia da Saúde da Família em município do interior de São Paulo. As entrevistas foram transcritas e analisadas utilizando-se a estratégia metodológica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. As dificuldades vivenciadas pelos cuidadores são inúmeras e atreladas à falta de rede de apoio, de recursos humanos, materiais, financeiros e ao despreparo para lidar com a morte no contexto da terminalidade. As ações desenvolvidas pela Estratégia da Saúde da Família são limitadas e pontuais. As dificuldades sentidas pelos cuidadores refletem o despreparo pessoal aliado à precariedade social e econômica vivenciadas no contexto domiciliar. Além disso, defrontam-se com a atenção restrita e descontinuada prestada pelo programa. DESCRITORES:Programa saúde da família. Cuidados paliativos. Atenção primária à saúde. Cuidadores. DIFICULTADES DE CUIDADORES DE PACIENTES EN CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS EN LA ESTRATEGIA DE SALUD DE LA FAMILIARESUMEN: Se intentó desvelar las principales dificultades enfrentadas por los cuidadores de pacientes en cuidados paliativos en domicilio y comprender su percepción del soporte ofrecido por la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia. Investigación cualitativa con 50 cuidadores de pacientes en cuidados paliativos, atendidos por la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia en un municipio del interior de São Paulo. Las entrevistas fueron transcritas y analizadas mediante la estrategia del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo. Las dificultades vividas son innúmeras y vinculadas a la falta de red de apoyo, de recursos humanos, materiales, financieros y de ...

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The prevalence of drug resistance in the district of Manhiça is slightly higher than, but still compatible with, previous national estimates. INH monoresistance was high, posing the risk of hidden monotherapy in the continuation phase.

The integrative approach to insomnia may be worthwhile as it reduces resource use and side effects, as well as dependence to benzodiazepines.