Private pharmacists and tuberculosis control: a survey of case detection skills in Osogbo, South Western, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) adopted Stop TB strategy in 2006 as a result of high TB burden which outlined engagement of all care providers including Private Pharmacists (PP) in TB control. However, there were no previous baseline studies done on knowledge and practices on TB control among private pharmacists needed to appraise their potential role and contribution to TB control which forms the basis of this study. Aims & Objective: To provide relevant information about tuberculosis case detection skills among private pharmacists in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria for the purpose of policy initiation, planning and decision making. Material and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study using pre-tested structured questionnaire was conducted in November, 2007 among 47 Private Pharmacists (PP) randomly selected in Osogbo, South West, Nigeria. Verbal consent was taken before given the questionnaire. Sampling technique was a convenient sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS v 16. Results: Almost all Private pharmacists interviewed (80.9%) were seeing TB suspects and had a good knowledge on TB etiology (100%) and air borne route of transmission (70%). Majority (90%) did not know TB treatment duration and standardized drug regimen for adult (93%) and children (97.9%). Less than half (40.4%) regarded sputum microscopy as the best test to confirm diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, majority (99%) had no previous training on standard guidelines on TB control by the National Program. Conclusion: Private pharmacists were seen TB suspects with inadequate knowledge on Nigerian Guidelines on TB control. National tuberculosis and Leprosy control program (NTBLCP) must take appropriate measure to educate and train Private Pharmacists in TB management.

Yield of Tuberculosis Contact Screening and Predictors of Contact Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Bungoma County Hospital, Kenya

“…Contact screening and investigation is a step towards detection of missed TB cases, averting onward community transmission, empowering contacts with TB prevention and control knowledge, and reduction in morbidity and mortality from TB disease [7,8] . Most contacts of TB patients with signs and symptoms of TB disease do not present to health facilities early enough due to poor health seeking behavior and poor knowledge leading to late diagnosis and unfavorable treatment outcomes [9,10] . Contact screening can be executed by nonexpert health workers and is likely to identify more TB cases [8] .…”