Thanduxolo Elford Fana|Edwin Ijeoma|Lizo Sotana
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Prevention Practices of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
University of the Witwatersrand|University of Fort Hare|University of Fort Hare|University of Fort Hare
aim study assess community members knowledge awareness levels attitudes practices drug resistant tuberculosis quantitative descriptive cross sectional study carried eastern cape province south africa sample size consisted four hundred 400 respondents aged 18 years last birthday purposively conveniently selected port elizabeth area nelson mandela municipality data collected using closeended questions administered researcher two research assistants selected respondents data analysed using descriptive statistics results study show poor knowledge awareness levels unfavourable attitudes good prevention practices drug resistant tuberculosis among port elizabeth community members study also found statistically significant association knowledge attitudes p value 0001 statistically significant association knowledge practices attitude practices respectively p values 0120 0136 study also revealed low literacy levels inadequate information misconceptions erroneous beliefs causes transmission prevention treatment management drug resistant tuberculosis among respondents study also highlighted use existence dual healthcare system traditional spiritual westernthe study found main source drug resistant tb information radio television among majority research respondents recommended future health education interventions awareness campaigns need intensified area misconceptions erroneous beliefs exist society addressed also recommended training programs culturally sensitive developed delivered taking account different languages literacy levels exist society education interventions facilitated collaboration people living drug resistant tuberculosis multidisciplinary approach fostered collaborations spiritual healers various congregational leaders traditional health practitioners community leaders government leaders health sector promoted order deal drug resistant tuberculosis also recommended similar study conducted using qualitative research approach urban rural areas eastern cape lastly assessment knowledge attitudes practices spiritual traditional healers regard drug resistant tuberculosis conducted influence healthseeking behaviour