Nurses' Experiences with TB Infection Control in South Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Sissolak Dagmar, Marais Frederick, Mehtar Shaheen
Primary Institution: University of Stellenbosch & Tygerberg Academic Hospital
Hypothesis
What factors influence TB infection prevention and control practices among nurses in South Africa?
Conclusion
Nurses identified several interconnected factors that could increase the risk of TB transmission in hospitals, highlighting the need for improved infection control policies and training.
Supporting Evidence
- Nurses reported inadequate isolation facilities and personal protective equipment.
- There was a lack of TB training for both staff and patients.
- Cultural and linguistic barriers hindered effective communication with patients.
- Work overload prevented nurses from adhering to TB infection control measures.
Takeaway
Nurses in South Africa are worried about spreading TB in hospitals because there aren't enough safety measures or training to help them do their jobs safely.
Methodology
Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 20 nurses analyzed through thematic analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the lack of male and African nurse perspectives and the influence of a chronic staff shortage.
Limitations
The study was limited to a single hospital and did not include male or African nurses, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
All participants were female, predominantly of coloured ethnicity, with an average age of 38 years and an average of 10 years in their current post.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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