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Health care workers' knowledge, attitudes and practices on tuberculosis infection control, Nepal

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journal contribution
posted on 2017-01-01, 00:00 authored by A Shrestha, Dipesh BhattaraiDipesh Bhattarai, B Thapa, P Basel, R R Wagle
Background
Infection control remains a key challenge for Tuberculosis (TB) control program with an increased risk of TB transmission among health care workers (HCWs), especially in settings with inadequate TB infection control measures. Poor knowledge among HCWs and inadequate infection control practices may lead to the increased risk of nosocomial TB transmission.

Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 28 health facilities providing TB services in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. A total of 190 HCWs were assessed for the knowledge, attitudes and practices on TB infection control using a structured questionnaire.

Results
The level of knowledge on TB infection control among almost half (45.8%) of the HCWs was poor, and was much poorer among administration and lower level staff. The knowledge level was significantly associated with educational status, and TB training and/or orientation received. The majority (73.2%) of HCWs had positive attitude towards TB infection control. Sixty-five percent of HCWs were found to be concerned about being infected with TB. Use of respirators among the HCWs was limited and triage of TB suspects was also lacking.

Conclusions
Overall knowledge and practices of HCWs on TB infection control were not satisfactory. Effective infection control measures including regular skill-based training and/or orientation for all categories of HCWs can improve infection control practices in health facilities.

History

Journal

BMC infectious diseases

Volume

17

Article number

724

Pagination

1 - 7

Publisher

BMC

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

1471-2334

eISSN

1471-2334

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal