Abstract
Introduction: Tuberculosis is one of the most serious public health problem globally. India alone accounts for one fourth of the global burden. Since 1993, DOTS strategy was adopted in Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in which front line health workers like ANM, anganwadi worker and ASHA are the main stay of the health care system. These frontline health workers play a vital role in the treatment of Tuberculosis. The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of frontline health workers regarding Tuberculosis and DOTS.
Materials and Methods: Across sectional observational study was carried out among frontline health workers of Sanganer block, Jaipur (Rajasthan) from September 2016 to September 2017. A predesigned, pre tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the information about knowledge, attitude and practices regarding tuberculosis and DOTS. Chi Square test and ANOVA were used to find the association. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Highest mean score of knowledge was found among ANMs (26.12±2.48) while highest mean score of attitude was seen among MPHWs (10.6±1.67). The highest mean score of practice in implementation of DOTS was found among ASHAs (11.37±1.70). 45.24% frontline health workers has good knowledge score where as 70.43% has good attitude score but only 25.45% had good practice score.
Conclusion: Good knowledge, positive attitudes and good practices pertaining to tuberculosis was observed among the frontline health workers but periodic trainings and skill development are necessary to fill the gap in some areas.
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Front line worker, Tuberculosis, DOTS.
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Corresponding Author
Paliwal Archana
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i4.30
