Knowledge and Practice on Tuberculosis Infection Control among Health care workers in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
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Abstract
Introduction: Poor knowledge and inadequate practice on TB infection control (TBIC) can increase the risk of TB transmission among those directly responsible for TB, TB health care workers (TB HCWs), and general health care workers (General HCWs). The study aimed to compare the knowledge and practice on TBIC between these two groups and determine the predictors for the low level of knowledge and practice.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, from September 2019 to January 2020. HCWs assigned for TB, multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) care, diagnostic and prevention activities were included as TB HCWs, and those working at the general hospitals not directly responsible for TB patients were recruited as general HCWs. A total of 260 TB HCWs and 500 general HCWs were invited. Knowledge and practice on TB infection control among health care workers were assessed using the structured questionnaire. Participants were categorized as having low knowledge if their knowledge scores were below the mean score and likewise for practice.
Results: Knowledge and practice scores were significantly higher among TB HCWs. With a maximum possible score of 10 for knowledge questions, the mean (SD) score of TB HCWs and general HCWs were 9.31 (0.987) and 7.35 (2.40), respectively, the p value of t-test 0.0095. With a maximum possible score of 7 for practice items, the mean (SD) score of TB HCWs and general HCWs were 4.718 (1.17) and 3.136 (1.441), respectively, the p value of t-test 0.036. Being ward staff and over 30 years old TB HCWs were the predictors of low knowledge. The predictors of poor practice were doctor, nurse, receptionist, ward staff, and those who had not been trained in TBIC.
Conclusion: More TBIC programme should be enhanced among health care workers, especially in risk groups, whose knowledge and practice were poor.
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References
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