Factors that contributed to contraction of tuberculosis among the newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients in Katutura Tuberculosis State Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contributed to the contraction of Tuberculosis (TB) amongst the patients who were newly diagnosed with TB at Katutura TB state hospital Windhoek, Namibia. Quantitative, descriptive research was conducted to explore the factors that contributed to contraction of TB among the newly diagnosed patients. Data was collected using questionnaires from 8th June 2016 to the 8th September 2016. The respondents were the newly diagnosed TB patients (n=40) admitted at Katutura TB state hospital. The findings revealed that there is a change in gender infection rate, men are now on the forefront, comprising 57.5% (n=23) of the sample surveyed. Furthermore, some other factors emerged on the study like TB stigma, poor nutrition, and lack of education. However, some factors are very controversial such as accommodation and sanitation as they need to be explored more to see their influence on TB infection rate