Knowledge and Practice of Tuberculosis Infection Prevention and Control Measures among Nurses and Doctors in Selected Government Hospitals in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major occupational hazard in resource limited healthcare settings. Owing to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested the adoption and implementation of Tuberculosis Infection Prevention and Control (TBIPC) programs in all healthcare facilities. However, studies have reported improper implementation and practice of these TBIPC measures in healthcare facilities in developing countries. Thus, this study examined the knowledge and practice of TBIPC measures among nurses and doctors at Achimota, La General, Greater Accra Regional and Princess Marie Louise Children’s hospitals in the Accra Metropolis. The study was cross-sectional and data was collected by the administration of questionnaire. Using a proportionate stratified sampling, 403 doctors and nurses were selected from these government hospitals. Bivariate analyses and a multiple logistic regression were used to examine the most important predictors of TBIPC. Overall, the results showed that, the proportion of nurses and doctors with effective TBIPC practices was 27.1%. This suggests that nurses and doctors in these selected hospitals may be at increased risk of nosocomial transmission of TB. Additionally, educational level (AOR=2.87; 95% CI=1.182-7.832), number of years worked (AOR= 1.93; 95% CI=1.03-10.107), knowledge about TBIPC (AOR= 2.23; 95% CI=1.671-7.428), and ever attended TBIPC training (AOR= 0.18; 95% CI = 0.011- 0.630) were found to predict TBIPC practices. Therefore, the Ministry of Health should conduct TBIPC training as well as provide resources and logistics in government health facilities to promote effective practice of TBIPC measures. Keywords: Tuberculosis Infection Prevention and Control, Knowledge, Practice, Nurses, Doctors, Healthcare Facilities