Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Tuberculosis and their Influence on Case Detection: A Facility-Based Study at Father Thomas Alan Rooney Memorial Hospital in Amenfi West Municipality, Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64261/pajhps.v1n1.003Keywords:
Tuberculosis, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP), Stigma, Case DetectionAbstract
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health threat in Ghana, particularly in rural areas where delayed diagnosis and persistent stigma impede early case detection and treatment. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to TB among patients and healthcare workers at Father Thomas Alan Rooney Memorial Hospital in the Amenfi West Municipality. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed involving 303 participants, using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, while qualitative responses were thematically examined. Findings revealed that although 75.9% of respondents acknowledged TB as curable, only 59.4% correctly identified its bacterial cause and 58.1% understood its airborne transmission. Higher education and health worker status were significantly associated with better TB knowledge. Stigma remained prevalent, with nearly half of respondents expressing discomfort interacting with TB patients and over a quarter reporting delayed care-seeking due to fear of social judgment. Qualitative data reinforced these findings, highlighting widespread misconceptions, spiritual interpretations of TB, and inadequate health communication. The study concludes that targeted health education and stigma reduction initiatives are urgently needed, alongside capacity building within health facilities to improve TB detection and community engagement in rural Ghana.
Keywords: Tuberculosis; Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP); Stigma; Case Detection; Rural Health; Health Education; Ghana; Amenfi West; Healthcare Workers; Health-Seeking Behaviour
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