Shrestha Anita, Bhattarai Dipesh, Thapa Barsha, Basel Prem, Wagle Rajendra Raj
University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
BMC Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 17;17(1):724. doi: 10.1186/s12879-017-2828-4.
Infection control remains a key challenge for Tuberculosis (TB) control program with an increased risk of TB transmission among health care workers (HCWs), especially in settings with inadequate TB infection control measures. Poor knowledge among HCWs and inadequate infection control practices may lead to the increased risk of nosocomial TB transmission.
An institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 28 health facilities providing TB services in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. A total of 190 HCWs were assessed for the knowledge, attitudes and practices on TB infection control using a structured questionnaire.
The level of knowledge on TB infection control among almost half (45.8%) of the HCWs was poor, and was much poorer among administration and lower level staff. The knowledge level was significantly associated with educational status, and TB training and/or orientation received. The majority (73.2%) of HCWs had positive attitude towards TB infection control. Sixty-five percent of HCWs were found to be concerned about being infected with TB. Use of respirators among the HCWs was limited and triage of TB suspects was also lacking.
Overall knowledge and practices of HCWs on TB infection control were not satisfactory. Effective infection control measures including regular skill-based training and/or orientation for all categories of HCWs can improve infection control practices in health facilities.
感染控制仍然是结核病控制项目面临的一项关键挑战，医护人员感染结核病的风险在增加，尤其是在结核病感染控制措施不足的环境中。医护人员知识欠缺以及感染控制措施不完善可能会导致医院内结核病传播风险增加。
在尼泊尔加德满都谷地提供结核病服务的28家医疗机构开展了一项基于机构的横断面调查。使用结构化问卷对总共190名医护人员的结核病感染控制知识、态度和行为进行了评估。
近一半（45.8%）的医护人员对结核病感染控制的知识水平较差，行政人员和低级别工作人员的情况更差。知识水平与教育程度以及接受的结核病培训和/或指导显著相关。大多数（73.2%）医护人员对结核病感染控制持积极态度。65%的医护人员担心感染结核病。医护人员中呼吸器的使用有限，对结核病疑似患者的分诊也不足。
医护人员在结核病感染控制方面的总体知识和行为并不令人满意。包括对所有类别医护人员进行定期的技能培训和/或指导在内的有效感染控制措施，可以改善医疗机构的感染控制行为。
