Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Adherence by healthcare providers to Ethiopia?s national tuberculosis guidelines

International Congress on Bacteriology & Infectious Diseases

November 20-22, 2013 DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore-BWI Airport, MD, USA

Valerie Janet Ehlers and Getahun Sisay Aragaw

Accepted Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

The study aimed to identify healthcare providers? adherence levels to Ethiopia?s national tuberculosis guidelines (NTG) during the diagnosis and treatment of TB. Data were collected from 233 medical records, using checklists. Healthcare providers adhered to the NTG during TB diagnosis for female (60.9%; n=67) and male (56.1%; n=69) patients. The correct numbers of anti-TB pills were prescribed for 91.8% (n=101) of the females and for 90.2% (n=111) of the males. However, TB drugs were both over and under prescribed. Smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases were over-diagnosed. Only 2.6% (n=2) of the 76 smear negative PTB patients had been diagnosed correctly. Enhanced compliance with the NTG, especially concerning the diagnosis of smear negative PTB patients, and the correct prescriptions of anti-TB drugs, would increase the number of correctly diagnosed and treated TB patients, improve TB treatment outcomes, decrease the spread of TB and prevent the development of multi-drug resistant TB.

Biography :

Valerie Janet Ehlers is a Professor in the Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa and holds a D Litt et Phil (Nursing) degree from same university. She has supervised 24 doctoral and 39 master?s graduates. She is the editor of the Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, has authored/co-authored 17 articles in international and 62 articles in South African academic journals. She has presented 45 conference papers/posters.