Health workers’ knowledge, Attitudes and practices towards tuberculosis in priority municipalities of the Colombian Pacific coast

Abstract

Purpose: To describe knowledge, attitudes and practices of health workers from tuberculosis (TB) programs in priority municipalities of the Colombian pacific coast. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 38 health workers, corresponding to the entire population of people working at the TB programs in 10 priority municipalities of Nariño, Colombia. A structured interview, which was previously validated trough cognitive interviews, was used. Results: Health workers report to have knowledge about TB and its management according to the established control guidelines. Nevertheless, some risk practices concerning to biosecurity standards were found, and so where found some stigmatizing attitudes towards the illness. Conclusions: The study brings information about health workers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards TB in Nariño, that can be used as input to the design of intervention strategies to strengthen the TB programs with local and cultural approach.