Knowledge, awarness and practices regarding tuberculosis among gold miners in Tanzania

Abstract

The overall aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, awareness and practices regarding TB at a selected gold mine in Tanzania in order to enhance the paucity of knowledge in this area of public health. The mining population is considered to be at high risk of tuberculosis infection and illness. However, there is little data available on the knowledge, awareness and practices in the mining population in Tanzania. A quantitative, descriptive study, using the Health Belief Model as the conceptual framework, was conducted among 100 workers in order to give a detailed description of the knowledge and awareness of tuberculosis. The study confirms the role of the media, particularly radio broadcasting, health workers, teachers, and the community in promoting information and education on TB. Fever as a symptom was a problem. The study area is a malaria endemic area where fever is the commonest presentation hence every fever is regarded as malaria. This complicated picking up and identifying other causes of fever. Despite feeling compassion for and wanting to help TB sufferers, most avoided them, which emphasised people’s general fear of TB. This indicated the general isolation and stigmatisation of TB sufferers. The findings highlighted the need for on-going education about TB and its treatment, especially early diagnosis and adherence to treatment.