Knowledge, attitudes and practices of physiotherapists’ towards controlling Tuberculosis infection in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

M.A. (Public Health)Abstract: Background: Despite the existence of national tuberculosis (TB) infection control guidelines, Nigeria still ranks among the top 10 high-burden countries for TB globally. This suggests TB infection control measures are not well implemented. The physiotherapists (PTs) are among health professionals that have direct contacts with patients. However, there is paucity of African research investigating knowledge, attitudes and practices of PTs regarding TB. Objective: The study sought to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of PTs’ towards controlling TB infection in the southwest Nigeria. The study further examined the associations of PTs’ KAP characteristics with age. Methods: A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study involving 323 PTs practicing in the six states of Nigerian southwest zone was conducted. Participants were recruited using the probability simple cluster sampling technique. The participants were given a pre-coded structured self-administered questionnaire via electronic means. Data management and analysis were performed using EPINFO 7.2 and SPSS version 27. EPINFO 7.2 was utilized to calculate crude odds ratios (OR) while adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and corresponding confidence interval (CI) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression in SPSS to examine KAP characteristics associations with age categories (< 40 years and ≥ 40 years). Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.93 ± 9.51 years and 62.2% of them were males. The majority of the participants, 58.2%, 57.6% and 39.3% had low knowledge, negative attitude and poor practice regarding TB infection control respectively. Participants who were unsure whether TB patients with negative sputum smears could be considered infectious were significantly more likely to be below 40 years of age, (AOR 6.73, 95% CI 1.05 – 43.02). Those who correctly noted that having a TB suspect wear a surgical mask is necessary before a confirmed diagnosis, were significantly more likely to be below 40 years of age (AOR 6.19, 95% CI 1.30 – 29.50). Physiotherapists who had positive attitude regarding TB infection control were significantly less likely to be below 40 years of age (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26 – 0.68). Participants who expressed strong agreement and strong disagreement regarding willingness to be have TB testing, were significantly less likely to be below 40 years of age (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 – 0.53) and OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31 – 0.85) respectively. Physiotherapists who expressed strong disagreement regarding accepting approved TB vaccine were significantly less likely in crude analysis to be below 40 years of age (OR) 0.09, 95% CI (0.02 – 0.45). Participants who showed strong agreement regarding willingness to care for patients with TB, were significantly less likely to be below 40 years of age (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29 – 0.84). PTs who never used an N95 respirator when collecting sputum from a patient and also in the TB consultation room were significantly more likely to be below 40 years of age (AOR 6.53, 95% CI 1.24 – 34.51) and AOR 8.75, 95% CI..