Tuberculosis-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Atlantic Canada: A Descriptive...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Healthcare Professional Education

Background:

• Limited regional data exists on healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) concerning tuberculosis (TB) in Atlantic Canada.
• HCWs play a crucial role in TB prevention and control efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the KAPs of HCWs regarding TB in Atlantic Canada.
• To identify specific areas for educational interventions to enhance TB care and control.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 157 HCWs in Atlantic Canada (October 2023 - February 2024).
• Participants were recruited through social media, email lists, and snowball sampling.
• Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics v29, with KAPs assessed using Likert-type scales and reliability evaluated via Cronbach's alpha.

Main Results:

• HCWs demonstrated moderately high knowledge (M=29.32, SD=3.25) and positive attitudes (M=3.87, SD=0.37) towards TB, with strong practices (M=4.24, SD=0.69).
• Identified gaps include recognizing less common TB symptoms and inconsistent practices in ventilation and pre-treatment initiation.
• Suboptimal reliability (Cronbach's alpha < 0.7) was found across all KAP domains, limiting further analyses.

Conclusions:

• Overall, TB-related KAPs among HCWs in Atlantic Canada are moderate-to-strong, but significant knowledge and practice gaps exist.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted educational initiatives and training to improve TB preparedness.
• This data will guide future interventions to ensure equitable TB patient care in the region.