Occupation-related airborne diseases: Management and prevention of tuberculosis among nurses working in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: More health workers die from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) than from any other infectious agent, so the current study is designed to assess TB treatment and preventive measures as they relate to nursing care practice. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 82 nurses from December 2022 to January 2023. The data were collected through a self-developed questionnaire and analyzed by frequency table and analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics. Results: The researchers found that nurses have sufficient knowledge on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) policy, but not all nurses follow this management protocol, and the reason for their action is addressed in this study. The management and preventive measures used by the participants were identified as: proper cough etiquette/hygiene, working in a well-ventilated area, use of mask, appropriate disposal of used items and so on was reported. Moreover, this study also discovered that there is a positive correlation between nurses who had received training in IPC policy and their use of airborne preventive measures for TB patients (F = 1.87, P = 0.002) as well as a positive correlation between the availability of resources and their adherence to the proper use of airborne preventive measures when caring for TB patients (F = 1.96, P < 0.001). Conclusion: We proposed infection and control training for nurses and adequate equipment supplies to the TB ward which are required in quick TB diagnosis, and must be carried out on a regular basis by health-care personnel, for efficient nursing practice. Ensuring proper safety equipment and isolation units should be available and assessable for nurses or other health workers showing sign or symptoms of TB. Similarly, it is necessary for government to put in place the control and regulations that will safeguard nurses and mandate them to adopt TB prevention protocols, which will aid in lowering the prevalence of TB among nurses.