Updates on Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices on Tuberculosis among Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Ranking as the most communicable disease killer worldwide, tuberculosis, has accounted with a total of 9.6 million new tuberculosis cases with 1.5 million tuberculosis-related deaths reported globally in 2014. Tuberculosis has remain as an occupational hazard for healthcare workers since 1920s and due to several tuberculosis outbreaks in healthcare settings in the early 1990s, the concern about the transmission to both patients and healthcare workers has been raised. Healthcare workers have two to three folds greater the risk of active tuberculosis than the general population. Several studies on knowledge, attitude and practices on tuberculosis among healthcare workers worldwide have revealed that majority of the participated healthcare workers had good knowledge on tuberculosis. Most of the healthcare workers from South India and South Africa also reported to have positive attitude whereas a study in Thailand reported that most of the healthcare providers have negative attitude towards tuberculosis patients. Nevertheless, majority of the healthcare workers have low level of practice on tuberculosis prevention. An improved communication between healthcare workers and the patients as well as their families is the key to better therapeutic outcomes with good knowledge, attitude and preventive practice towards tuberculosis. Keywords: tuberculosis, healthcare, health knowledge, attitudes, practiceThis article focuses on the epidemiology of TB, knowledge, attitudes and practices for prevention of TB among healthcare workers, as well as preliminary local data among family members of TB patients regarding TB prevention.

COVID-19 Factors and Psychological Factors Associated with Elevated Psychological Distress among Dentists and Dental Hygienists in Israel

“…Furthermore, regarding the association of COVID-19 factors and psychological factors with elevated psychological distress, the findings indicate that among the COVID-19 factors, only the fear of contracting COVID-19 from a patient associated positively with elevated psychological distress. This may be supported by scientific evidence showing that there is an unwillingness on the part of dentists to treat patients with infectious diseases such as HIV [26,27] and tuberculosis [28]. With reference to the psychological factors, high subjective overload and a low score for self-efficacy were found to be associated with elevated psychological distress.…”

Knowledge, attitude and associated factors towards tuberculosis in Lesotho: a population based study

“…Few studies have been conducted in Lesotho to examine the knowledge about tuberculosis among different groups of the community [6–10]. At the national level, there have not been any published studies on the knowledge, attitude and associated factors towards TB among the general population of Lesotho.…”

Tuberculosis knowledge, attitude and practice among healthcare workers during the 2016 Hajj

“…Knowledge gaps as well as poor attitudes and practices in relation to infection prevention and control, including TB control, have been documented among HCWs working in Hajj [5]. Numerous reports worldwide found that HCWs have important knowledge gaps in relation to TB diagnosis, treatment and infection prevention and control; have some negative attitudes and stigma connected with the disease; and engage in poor practices, all of which contribute to their increased risk of infection and negative impacts on patients and the community [7–23]. However, no study specifically examined KAP of HCWs working in Hajj in relation to TB.…”