Assessing the Impact of a Structured Tuberculosis Training Activity on the Knowledge and Attitude of Community Volunteers
LC14-LC17
Correspondence
Dr. Janmejaya Samal,
MIG-1/509, Hudco Sector, Bhilai-490009, Chhattisgarh, India.
E-mail: jaytheworld@gmail.com
Introduction: With the paucity of health workforce for Tuberculosis (TB) in India a cadre of trained community volunteers can effectively contribute to the prevention and control of TB in a particular community.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a structured TB training activity on the knowledge and attitude including post training appraisal of activities among the Community Volunteers (CVs).
Materials and Methods: A two days structured training was imparted to a group of 10 preselected CVs and the knowledge and attitude was assessed with the help of pre-test and post-test questionnaire. The post training appraisal of activities was carried out after a period of three months since the CVs were placed on job in the community. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version-16.0 and p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Students t-test was applied to test the significance of knowledge and attitude improvement in the group before and after the training.
Results: Highly significant (p=0.0042) impact was observed in knowledge segment however the same was not the case with attitude segment (p= 0.0676). The mean knowledge and attitude score was 9.20 (SD=2.97) and 12.70 (SD=1.42), respectively for pre-test and the mean knowledge and attitude score was 3.00 (SD=0.94) and 2.10 (SD=0.74), respectively for post-test. Out of the 10 CVs trained, eight CVs were placed on job for different types of community level activities. A total of 5633 households were reached by the CVs for creating awareness on TB and 648 sputum samples were collected from TB suspects and transported to the nearest Designated Microscopic Centres (DMCs). A total of 45 TB cases were diagnosed and put on treatment over a period of three months, post training.
Conclusion: The level of improvement shows that the CVs could effectively be utilised in the community for TB control and support activities. In addition, the training appears to be influencing the CVs positively on their roles and responsibilities.