TB Infection Control in TB/HIV Settings in Cross River State, Nigeria: Policy Vs Practice

Abstract

TB and HIV remain a dangerous duo of significant public health concern across the globe. Both diseases require significant community and health system activities to be successfully managed. TB infection control is an important disease prevention strategy among the general population and among people living with HIV, in cost and management. We undertook to assess the situation of TB infection control at three levels of health care in Cross River State of Nigeria. A qualitative method was used to assess TB infection control (TBIC) knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the health care workers at each of the purposefully selected facilities using a semi-structured questionnaire - University of Calabar Teaching hospital, Calabar; Infectious disease Hospital, Calabar and primary Health Centre, Calabar Municipal, between 15th to 31st November, 2019 in the first phase, and an extension to February, 2020 due to delayed ethical clearance from the University of Calabar Teaching hospital. Data was collected and entered on an excel template and cleaned by trained data entry clerks. Charts and color diagrams were developed to compare specific descriptive data. There is wide variation between the written policies of TB infection control and the practices among health workers. Even though there are strong administrative protocols to support TB infection control in the higher levels of care, it is better practiced in the lower level PHC where the protocols were not spelt out.