Planning for PPM-DOTS implementation in urban slums in Kenya: knowledge, attitude and practices of private health care providers in Kibera slum, Nairobi
Chakaya, J.M.; Meme, H.; Kwamanga, D.; Githui, W.A.; Onyango-Ouma, W.O.; Gicheha, C.; Karimi, F.; Mansoer, J.; Kutwa, A.
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 9(4): 403-408
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1027-3719 PMID: 15830745 Document Number: 207373
SETTING: Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya. OBJECTIVE: To determine the tuberculosis (TB) knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of private health care providers (PHCPs) to identify their training needs and willingness to participate in a National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Programme (NLTP) guided TB control effort in the slum. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey. The KAP of PHCPs was assessed using an interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 75 PHCPs interviewed, the majority (96.0%) were paramedics; 51 (77.1%) did not consider sputum smear microscopy crucial in patients presenting with prolonged cough or when a chest X-ray was suggestive of TB; of 29 (38.7%) who indicated familiarity with the drugs used in TB treatment, 20 (58.5%) would have chosen the NLTP-recommended regimens for the treatment of the various types of TB; 16 (21.3%) PHCPs indicated that they treated TB, six (37.5%) of whom were not familiar with anti-tuberculosis drug regimens. All the PHCPs referred TB suspects to the public sector for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a significant gap in TB knowledge among the PHCPs in Kibera slum. However, given appropriate training and supervision, there is potential for public-private mix for DOTS implementation in this setting.