Health Workers And Facility Level Factors Associated With Knowledge On Tuberculosis Case Detection In Pru District, Brong Ahafo Region – Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a public health problem that affects about one-third of the global population; more especially in sub-Saharan Africa. TB is prevalent in Pru district in Ghana. This study aimed to determine health workers and facility-level factors associated with knowledge of TB case detection in Pru district. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was adopted with a quantitative approach to data collection. A structured questionnaire was used, and 10 health facilities and 165 respondents were selected through purposive and simple random sampling. Data were analyzed descriptively and presented in percentages in tables and graphs. Continuous data were summarized into means and standard deviations. Further analysis was done using the chi-square test and logistic regression to determine the significant factors and their respective crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95%CI and a significance level of 5% (p≥0.05). Results: About 164 respondents were studied and knowledge of TB was 82.9%, and TB case detection was 62% which was above average. Almost half 45.7% knew TB was airborne and could be transmitted via sputum droplet. More than three-quarters 88.4% knew coughing for two weeks or more was a sign of TB, and 98.6% knew TB was curable. Signs and symptoms of TB showed 49% cited chronic coughing, and extreme weight loss was 19%. The availability of TB protocol and the number of health facilities implementing TB case detection protocol showed that 89.4% of cases were conducted at St Mathias Catholic hospital where there was an adequate supply of TB logistics. Significant factors that influenced health worker's knowledge of TB and TB case detection were; marital status (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI 1.47-7.74; p). years of working experience (OR =0.47; 95% CI 0.20-1.05; p = 0.05), location of health facility (AOR =29.46; 95%CI 4.04- 21.46; p=0.002), type of health facility (AOR=0.12; 95%CI 0.02-0.91; p=0.04), knowledge of TB signs and symptoms (AOR=22.77; 95%CI 2.91-17.76; p=0.002) and inadequate logistics supply (AOR=0.09; 95% CI 0.02-0.41; p<0.001). Conclusion: Health workers had adequate knowledge of TB, and significant factors associated with knowledge and TB case detection were an inadequate supply of logistics