Changes in healthcare workers' knowledge about tuberculosis following a tuberculosis training programme.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Management
• Healthcare Worker Education

Background:

• Assessing healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge of tuberculosis (TB) is crucial for effective management in resource-limited settings.
• Policy makers require data on HCW TB knowledge to guide health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate knowledge changes in HCWs post-tuberculosis training.
• To inform future TB training programs for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study in 2007 involving 267 HCWs (doctors, nurses).
• Pre- and post-training knowledge assessment using a 98-item questionnaire based on WHO modules.
• Analysis of knowledge scores across different HCW cadres.

Main Results:

• Mean total knowledge scores increased significantly from 59.5% to 66.5% (p<0.001).
• Nurses showed significant improvement but retained the lowest post-training scores (63.2%).
• Doctors consistently demonstrated higher knowledge scores than nurses, both pre- and post-training (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• The observed improvement in HCW tuberculosis knowledge was not clinically significant.
• Continuous field training and supervision are essential for maintaining and enhancing TB knowledge.
• Targeted interventions may be needed to address knowledge gaps among specific HCW groups, particularly nurses.