Attitudes and practices regarding Tuberculosis infection control among nurses at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis (TB) infection control among nurses working at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. The study included 187 registered nurses at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing attitudes and practices related to TB infection control. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Majority of participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward TB infection control. Most nurses reported routinely screening patients for cough (79.1%) and ensuring separation of suspected TB cases (77%). A high proportion (89.3%) reported consistent use of personal protective equipment when managing TB patients. Additionally, 88.7% emphasized the importance of proper ventilation in infection control. Regarding practices, 88.8% reported using protective measures, and 85.5% expressed confidence in managing TB patients. However, gaps were identified in specific practices such as sputum collection in well-ventilated areas. Nurses exhibited generally positive attitudes and satisfactory practices regarding TB infection control. However, inconsistencies in certain practices highlight the need for continuous training and reinforcement of infection control guidelines to minimize the risk of TB transmission in healthcare settings.