Tuberculosis: knowledge among nursing undergraduate students.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern.
• Adequate knowledge of TB is crucial for nursing students in patient care and disease prevention.
• Assessing current knowledge levels informs curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge of tuberculosis among undergraduate nursing students at a Federal Higher Education Institution.
• To identify factors associated with varying levels of TB knowledge.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted.
• Data were collected using a WHO-guided questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to TB.
• Students were categorized as having "with knowledge" or "with little knowledge" based on performance.

Main Results:

• Sixty nursing students participated in the study.
• Students with less university experience and no prior TB exposure demonstrated "little knowledge".
• Students who acquired TB knowledge through health services exhibited "with knowledge".

Conclusions:

• Significant knowledge gaps concerning tuberculosis were identified in undergraduate nursing students.
• Current teaching-learning strategies for TB may require revision.
• Integrating practical health service experiences could enhance student understanding of TB.