RESUMEN
Background: National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) adopted Stop TB strategy in 2006 as a result of high TB burden which outlined engagement of all care providers including Private Pharmacists (PP) in TB control. However, there were no previous baseline studies done on knowledge and practices on TB control among private pharmacists needed to appraise their potential role and contribution to TB control which forms the basis of this study. Aims & Objective: To provide relevant information about tuberculosis case detection skills among private pharmacists in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria for the purpose of policy initiation, planning and decision making. Material and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study using pre-tested structured questionnaire was conducted in November, 2007 among 47 Private Pharmacists (PP) randomly selected in Osogbo, South West, Nigeria. Verbal consent was taken before given the questionnaire. Sampling technique was a convenient sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS v 16. Results: Almost all Private pharmacists interviewed (80.9%) were seeing TB suspects and had a good knowledge on TB etiology (100%) and air borne route of transmission (70%). Majority (90%) did not know TB treatment duration and standardized drug regimen for adult (93%) and children (97.9%). Less than half (40.4%) regarded sputum microscopy as the best test to confirm diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, majority (99%) had no previous training on standard guidelines on TB control by the National Program. Conclusion: Private pharmacists were seen TB suspects with inadequate knowledge on Nigerian Guidelines on TB control. National tuberculosis and Leprosy control program (NTBLCP) must take appropriate measure to educate and train Private Pharmacists in TB management.
RESUMEN
Background: TB cases detected in Nigeria are still far below WHO target of 70% despite adoption of DOTS strategy since 1994 with subsequent expansion of treatment to primary health centers where diagnosis and treatment is done mainly by general health care workers. However, the extent of adherence to standard guideline by such cadre is unknown. Aims & Objective: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge on TB diagnosis and treatment by PHC workers in Osun and Oyo States. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 280 general health care workers in 23 health care facilities selected using multistage sampling technique. Interviewed was done with a pre-tested selfadministered questionnaire in November, 2007. Results: Majority of the respondents (41%) are Community health extension workers i.e115 (41.1%) while 76 (27.1%) are nurses and 37 (13.2%) pharmacists. Knowledge on TB causation and mode of transmission was found to be relatively high as about 200 (71.4%) correctly describe TB as a microbial infection and about 216 (77.1%) knew airborne route as mode of transmission. When asked to define DOTS, 62.5% of the health workers gave a correct definition with only 109 (38.9%) abled to list the 4 main drugs given during intensive phase of treatment. In addition, about half of the respondents (52.5%) knew that treatment last for 8 months. Conclusion: The findings in this study several knowledge gaps on directly observed treatment short course therapy among healthcare providers. Multiple strategies are required to improve health care workers' knowledge and practice of Tuberculosis control.