Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthcare Workers Toward Tuberculosis at Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially in high-burden countries like Pakistan. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a pivotal role in TB control, yet their knowledge gaps, attitudes, and inconsistent practices can hinder early diagnosis and effective management. Existing literature highlights the prevalence of misconceptions even among trained professionals, but localized data from private tertiary care settings in Pakistan remains limited. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers regarding tuberculosis at Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Lahore, and to explore correlations among these variables to inform targeted interventions. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024 among 117 healthcare workers recruited through convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria were HCWs aged ≥25 years employed at the hospital; those unwilling to consent were excluded. Data were collected via a validated 29-item structured questionnaire covering sociodemographics, knowledge (13 items), attitude (7), and practice (3), with internal consistency confirmed (Cronbach’s α = 0.801–0.806). Scores were categorized as good (≥80%), moderate (60–79%), or poor (<60%). Ethical approval was obtained from the Rashid Latif Nursing College Ethics Committee, and informed consent adhered to the Helsinki Declaration. Data were analyzed using SPSS v27, applying descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests (p < 0.01). Results: The majority of participants were aged 25–35 (94.9%) and married (92.3%). Good knowledge, attitude, and practice were observed in 83.8%, 84.6%, and 80.3% of participants, respectively. However, 52.1% incorrectly believed cold air causes TB, and 41.9% thought TB spreads via sexual contact. While 89.7% correctly identified cough as a transmission route, only 54.7% knew treatment is free in Pakistan. Clinically relevant behaviors were evident, as 80.3% would seek medical help if symptomatic. Strong positive correlations were found between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.581), attitude-practice (r = 0.461), and knowledge-practice (r = 0.294), all statistically significant (p < 0.01), underscoring the interdependence of these domains. Conclusion: Despite high overall awareness, critical misconceptions and stigma-related attitudes persist among HCWs, highlighting the need for continuous, targeted education and behavioral reinforcement. Improving KAP among HCWs is vital for enhancing early TB detection, reducing stigma, and strengthening infection control in clinical settings.