Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards prevention of Tuberculosis among HIV-positive patients at Kibagabaga District Hospital, Rwanda, 2021

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Globally, an estimated 10.3 million people fell ill with TB in 2021, especially for people living with HIV. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of TB prevention among HIV patients at Kibagabaga District Hospital (KDH). This study on TB prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices among HIV-positive patients at Kibagabaga District Hospital aims to improve public health practices and the lives of people living with HIV by identifying knowledge gaps, tailoring prevention strategies, encouraging early TB detection, and informing policy development 

METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Kibagabaga District Hospital (KDH) from November 2019 to February 2021. A sample size of 237 Participants was calculated using Epi-info software and selected through a stratified simple random sampling method. Data collection employed self-administered questionnaires, and analysis was performed using SPSS software version 23. 

RESULTS: Among the 237 Participants, the demographics revealed a majority of females (60.3%), with nearly half (45.1%) being married. The private sector employed over half (52.5%) of the Participants. Primary education was the most common educational attainment (51.1%), and the 39-48 age group represented the largest portion (35.4%). Encouragingly, a significant majority demonstrated positive knowledge (86.9%), attitude (86.1%), and practices (91.6%) towards tuberculosis prevention. 

CONCLUSION: While the study revealed positive overall knowledge, practices, and attitudes towards tuberculosis prevention among Participants, a potential knowledge gap regarding the specific cause of the disease was identified. This suggests that future health education efforts for HIV patients could benefit from further emphasis on understanding the causative agent of tuberculosis for even more comprehensive knowledge and ongoing positive behaviour towards prevention.