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Community health workers: their knowledge on pulmonary tuberculosis and willingness to be treatment supervisors Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Abstract
Background: Poor treatment adherence to tuberculosis treatment is a problem among rural patients Ethiopia. We aimed to decentralize directly observed treatment of tuberculosis at village level volunteer Community Health Workers (CHWs) in order to improve treatment adherence. However, need to determine their training needs and willingness to supervise treatment of patients with tuberculosis their respective villages.
Objectives: To assess CHWs' knowledge of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) disease and their willingness supervise tuberculosis treatment.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 districts of Tigray, Ethiopia in June 2002. A 279 CHWs were selected from 70 villages using a multistage cluster sampling technique. CHWs interviewed by trained nurses using a structured questionnaire. Result: CHWs' mean and median knowledge score about PTB was 79.8% and 80% respectively. mentioned exposure to cold (43%) and bacteria (40.5%) as causes of PTB disease while coughing as its primary means of transmission. Most (90.3%) were willing to supervise tuberculosis treatment. CHWs who reside in rural villages (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.93; 95% Confidence Interval (CI)= 6.91) and those who had been entitled to free medical services (AOR=2.95; 95% CI=1.17-7.55) were willing to be treatment supervisors. CHWs were less likely to be treatment supervisors when accountability to more than one village-based institutions (AOR=0.35; 95% CI=0.14-0.91).
Conclusion: CHWs should be trained on tuberculosis and its management prior to their involvement tuberculosis treatment supervision. Reducing CHWs' multiple responsibilities and continuous health support would be essential to sustain their volunteer services.
The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19 2005: 28-34
Objectives: To assess CHWs' knowledge of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) disease and their willingness supervise tuberculosis treatment.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 districts of Tigray, Ethiopia in June 2002. A 279 CHWs were selected from 70 villages using a multistage cluster sampling technique. CHWs interviewed by trained nurses using a structured questionnaire. Result: CHWs' mean and median knowledge score about PTB was 79.8% and 80% respectively. mentioned exposure to cold (43%) and bacteria (40.5%) as causes of PTB disease while coughing as its primary means of transmission. Most (90.3%) were willing to supervise tuberculosis treatment. CHWs who reside in rural villages (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.93; 95% Confidence Interval (CI)= 6.91) and those who had been entitled to free medical services (AOR=2.95; 95% CI=1.17-7.55) were willing to be treatment supervisors. CHWs were less likely to be treatment supervisors when accountability to more than one village-based institutions (AOR=0.35; 95% CI=0.14-0.91).
Conclusion: CHWs should be trained on tuberculosis and its management prior to their involvement tuberculosis treatment supervision. Reducing CHWs' multiple responsibilities and continuous health support would be essential to sustain their volunteer services.
The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19 2005: 28-34
