Poor adherence to tuberculosis infection prevention and control guidelines a threat to TB control

What is it about?

Adherence to the tuberculosis (TB) infection control guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is pivotal in TB infection control. The study assessed the level of adherence to the TB infection control guidelines by nurses in TB wards and outpatient departments and the factors associated with non-adherence to the guidelines in the Southern African country of Lesotho, which has a high prevalence rate of TB that is exacerbated by high prevalence of HIV. The study found that there was poor adherence to WHO TB infection control guidelines by nurses in Lesotho and this was associated with poor access to personal protective equipment, lack of isolation rooms and restricted access to the printed TB infection control guidelines.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This study highlights what is needed to improve adherence to TB infection control by nurses in the high TB burden setting of Lesotho, in Southern Africa, where a limited national health budget, and healthcare worker factors may be worsening the problem of TB in the country.

Perspectives