Patent medicine vendors (PMVs) are a ubiquitous feature of the informal
health sector in Nigeria. A previous study on healthcare-seeking
behaviour of persons with chronic cough in southern Nigeria found that
over 60% of respondents chose the PMV as a healthcare provider of first
instance. This study sought to determine the willingness and capability
of PMVs to play a role in the national tuberculosis (TB)-control
effort. Study sites were selected through a multi-stage sampling
process. In total, 388 PMVs, 17 principal officers of PMV associations,
and 17 community leaders were purposively selected. Sets of structured
questionnaire were administered to the PMVs while information from the
principal officers of PMV associations and community leaders was
elicited through in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions
(FGDs). Quantitative data were collated using the Epi Info software
(version 6.04) and analyzed using the SPSS software (version 15). Most
(90%) PMVs indicated that they would be ready to cooperate with the
national TB-control programme, if trained. Seventy-three percent
attended persons with prolonged cough in the course of their career.
However, 48% did not know the cause of TB. Only 3% ever-attended a
training session on TB control. Sixty-six percent completed at least 12
years of schooling with secondary school certificate. Eighty percent of
the community leaders were happy with the work of PMVs. About
two-thirds (65.6%) of the PMVs were male. The PMVs are positively
disposed to playing roles in TB control. Given this positive
disposition and their widespread acceptance in healthcare-delivery in
the communities, they have potentials for playing a role in TB control
in southern Nigeria