Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Stigma of Tuberculosis among Healthcare Providers in Hospital Ampang

ABSTRACT

@#Introduction: Malaysia is an intermediate tuberculosis burdened country as classified by WHO. There was a recent rise in TB incidence. Healthcare providers, especially in secondary or tertiary centers, were constantly exposed to TB infected patients, which is a hazard source for TB infection. Thus, assessment of behavior towards TB is paramount through knowledge, attitude, health-seeking practice, and stigma domains. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between November 2014 and February 2015 among healthcare providers in Medical Department, Hospital Ampang. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver 21. Results: Despite overall good knowledge on TB, only 20% of the correspondence knew which patient’s population is at risk of TB infection. Almost all perceived TB as a health threat and willing to seek medical care if they developed TB symptoms. However, a small proportion (5.3%) will keep it a secret if they contracted TB. This is contrasted by the majority that perceived TB patients will not be accepted by the community. Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude towards TB was adequate within the healthcare providers in Medical Department, Hospital Ampang despite the presence of some knowledge gaps. However, there was high perceived stigma that needed to be addressed in order for them to deliver the best medical care.