A study on the knowledge, beliefs and practices of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Katutura, Khomas Region, Namibia
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Date
2008
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Abstract
Abstract provided by author:Tuberculosis is a preventable and curable disease. In spite of this, globally it is the main cause of human suffering and death through infection
The World Health Organization has set the following targets for global tuberculosis control: a case detection rate of 70, and treatment success rate of 85. The Khomas region has attained only 52 treatment success rate, which is significantly below the global target
A better understanding of TB patients' knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding tuberculosis is important for the improvement of public health education on tuberculosis. Therefore, a study was conducted to explore and describe the knowledge, beliefs and practices of patients diagnosed with TB, in order to provide helpful data for the improvement of public health education regarding tuberculosis
An explorative, descriptive, contextual, and qualitative study design was conducted, using individual in-depth interviews to gather data from 60 tuberculosis patients in Katutura, of the Khomas region. A quota sampling technique by age was used to select the participants. Data analysis was done using Tesch's method for content analysis
The results showed a significantly poor depth of knowledge among patients diagnosed with tuberculosis about the disease itself. Patients possess erroneous beliefs about modes of transmission, and they practice unhealthy lifestyles while on treatment. Ineffective health education had contributed to the poor knowledge of patients. Some basic facts overlooked by the national tuberculosis guideline developers are also a contributing factor
Recommendations based on this study's findings include: the revision of the current national guidelines for the management of tuberculosis, to include some important facts overlooked by the guidelines developers; the design of culturally-appropriate messages to be integrated with the existing beliefs and misconceptions and provided to the community in the form of leaflets; and an emphasis of the importance of patient charters among health workers.
The World Health Organization has set the following targets for global tuberculosis control: a case detection rate of 70, and treatment success rate of 85. The Khomas region has attained only 52 treatment success rate, which is significantly below the global target
A better understanding of TB patients' knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding tuberculosis is important for the improvement of public health education on tuberculosis. Therefore, a study was conducted to explore and describe the knowledge, beliefs and practices of patients diagnosed with TB, in order to provide helpful data for the improvement of public health education regarding tuberculosis
An explorative, descriptive, contextual, and qualitative study design was conducted, using individual in-depth interviews to gather data from 60 tuberculosis patients in Katutura, of the Khomas region. A quota sampling technique by age was used to select the participants. Data analysis was done using Tesch's method for content analysis
The results showed a significantly poor depth of knowledge among patients diagnosed with tuberculosis about the disease itself. Patients possess erroneous beliefs about modes of transmission, and they practice unhealthy lifestyles while on treatment. Ineffective health education had contributed to the poor knowledge of patients. Some basic facts overlooked by the national tuberculosis guideline developers are also a contributing factor
Recommendations based on this study's findings include: the revision of the current national guidelines for the management of tuberculosis, to include some important facts overlooked by the guidelines developers; the design of culturally-appropriate messages to be integrated with the existing beliefs and misconceptions and provided to the community in the form of leaflets; and an emphasis of the importance of patient charters among health workers.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Health of the University of Namibia
Keywords
Tuberculosis