A Cross Sectional Study of Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Tuberculosis amongst Front-Line Tuberculosis Personnel in High Burden Areas of Lima, Peru

Abstract

IntroductionTuberculosis, reported as the second most common infectious cause of death worldwide, is a key mortality contributor in developing countries and globally. The disease is endemic in Peru and while relative success was achieved during the 1990s in its control, this slowed as new complications, such as multi drug resistant TB arose. Health centre workers participating in the national DOTS program, create the front-line TB work-force in Peru meaning their knowledge and attitudes about the disease are key in its control.MethodsA Spanish language, multiple choice knowledge and attitudes survey was designed based on previous successful studies and the national Peruvian TB control guidelines. It was applied to two health networks in Lima, Peru amongst 301health workers participating in the national TB control program from 66 different health centres. The study results were analysed to test mean knowledge scores amongst different groups, overall gaps in key areas of TB treatment and control knowledge, and attitudes towards the disease and the national TB control program.ResultsA mean knowledge score of 10.1 (+/- 1.7) out of 15 or 67.3% correct was shown. Demographics shown to have an effect on knowledge score were age and level of education. Major knowledge gaps were noted primarily in themes relating to treatment and diagnostics. Greater community involvement including better patient education about TB was seen as important in implementing the national TB control program. Participants were in disagreement about the current distribution of health resources throughout the study area.Discussion Serious knowledge gaps were identified from the survey; these reflect findings from a previous study in Lima and other studies from TB endemic areas throughout the world. Understanding these gaps and observations made by front-line TB workers in Lima may help to improve the national TB control program and other control efforts globally.

Conhecimento dos agentes comunitários de saúde sobre a tuberculose, suas medidas de controle e tratamento diretamente observado

“…Hoa et al 25 e Minnery et al 26 , mediante a aplicação de questionários, compararam o conhecimento sobre TB entre diferentes categorias profissionais da área da saúde, dentre elas os ACS, respectivamente no Vietnã e em Lima, Peru. Ambos encontraram médias de acerto para os ACS de 13,4 em 23 questões e 9,5 (± 1,8) em 15 itens, respectivamente.…”

Comparative study of knowledge and practices regarding tuberculosis amongst the nursing staff of medical college and peripheral health care unit

“…This is similar to finding of a cross-sectional study done at Peru in health professionals. 8 If their knowledge is so poor one wonders what quality of teaching they will be imparting to the juniors.…”

Enhancing Pharmacist’s Role and Tuberculosis Patient Outcomes Through Training-Education-Monitoring-Adherence-Networking (TEMAN) Pharmacist Model Intervention

“…Beberapa studi menunjukkan bahwa pengetahuan, persepsi dan sikap petugas TB di beberapa Jurnal Farmasi Klinik Indonesia Volume 6, Nomor 4, Desember 2017 negara sangat beragam, sehingga intervensi berupa asesmen pengetahuan awal dan pelatihan/training sangat diperlukan. [18][19][20]21,22 Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa adanya pelatihan meningkatkan semua aspek pengetahuan peserta (petugas TB). Hasil ini sejalan dengan hasil penelitian Wu et al (2009) 18 dan Minnery et al (2013) 19 yang menyatakan bahwa pelatihan bermanfaat untuk menilai pengetahuan awal tentang TB dan efektif meningkatkan pengetahuan petugas TB.…”

“…[18][19][20]21,22 Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa adanya pelatihan meningkatkan semua aspek pengetahuan peserta (petugas TB). Hasil ini sejalan dengan hasil penelitian Wu et al (2009) 18 dan Minnery et al (2013) 19 yang menyatakan bahwa pelatihan bermanfaat untuk menilai pengetahuan awal tentang TB dan efektif meningkatkan pengetahuan petugas TB. Pelatihan/training merupakan model pendekatan pendidikan berkelanjutan yang ditujukan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan apoteker yang senantiasa berubah-ubah, mendukung pengembangan pengetahuan dan keterampilan, dan penjagaan kompetensi, meningkatkan kinerja dari setiap individu, dan berkontribusi secara langsung atau tidak langsung dalam meningkatkan outcome kesehatan masyarakat.…”