An investigation into the knowledge levels of clients on long term tuberculosis treatment at Kwekwe general hospital

Abstract

The study investigated the knowledge levels of clients on long-term tuberculosis (TB) treatment at Kwekwe General Hospital, Zimbabwe. A quantitative, descriptive research design was chosen and data was collected using a structured questionnaire with a convenience sample of 60 clients on TB treatment and 10 professional nurses.

The major findings of the study were that although clients had some knowledge about their condition, there was a lack of knowledge regarding critical aspects such as information on drug-resistant TB and the Directly Observed Therapy Short Course. The professional nurses experienced constraints such as insufficient time for appropriate health education and home visits.

Based on the study findings and conclusions, several recommendations were made.