Factors that hinder nurses from undergoing routine annual TB screening at Kamuzu Central Hospital
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Date
2009-11-14
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Latent TB screening services are readily available in the health facilities for access by all Health Care Workers who work in high risk areas such as nurses. However, findings have shown that most nurses do not utilize the services, and there is limited information as regards factors that may be hindering them. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that hinder nurses from undergoing routine latent TB screening. Specifically, the study was done to assess nurses' knowledge on TB screening, to describe the perception of nurses towards TB screening and to describe the attitude of Health Care Providers at the service centres The study used a descriptive quantitative design. A sample of 30 conveniently sampled nurses who had been in service for not less than 2 years at KCH was interviewed using a self structured questionnaire. A pilot study was done at Bwaila hospital prior to the main study at KCH. Data collected was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 11.0) and presented in descriptive statistics. Results showed that 66.7% (n=20) of the participants were not aware of the availability of TB screening services in the hospital. About knowledge of TB methods, 56.7% (n=1 7) had knowledge of sputum microscopy as the only screening method for LTBI. Findings further revealed that 60% of the participants thought that coughing persistently for more than 3 weeks was the only indication for going for latent TB screening. Findings also revealed that only 20% of the participants underwent TB screening.80% of the participants did not go for latent TB screening and cited several reasons for their not going. 53% of the participants cited fear of unknown and 63% mentioned fear of being stigmatized as the reason for not going for LTBI screening. Further findings have revealed that 63.3% and
53.3% of the participants were not impressed with issues of privacy and confidentiality respectively at the service centres. The findings have revealed that there is lack of awareness in the hospital about the availability of services and that there is a knowledge gap about TB and TB screening. The findings also suggest that some hindering factors are related to the negative perception of the participants towards LTBI screening and the health care providers. The findings will help to enlighten the relevant authorities in improving the services and providing effective education to nurses on LTBI and its importance. Thus, improving the services and effectively educating the nurses on the importance of TB screening will help to maximize utilization of TB screening services so as to have a healthy TB free nursing professionals.