P-135 KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF PUBLIC SECTOR HEALTH PERSONNEL IN TANGIER (MOROCCO) TOWARDS TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract Introduction The objective was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare workers of public sector regarding tuberculosis and the application of the recommendations of the national tuberculosis control program. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out during the first semester of 2023 among health professionals working in hospital structures and health centers in the city of Tangier. It involved 412 professionals (87 general practitioners, 62 specialists and 263 nurses), excluding pulmonologists. The self-questionnaire included knowledge about pulmonary tuberculosis, the national tuberculosis control program, screening and diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Results and discussion The average age was 38.6 ± 10.3 years. The female gender represented 66.5%. The National tuberculosis control guide only contributed to strengthening knowledge on the topic of tuberculosis for 35.2% of the sample. 18% of professionals declared that they were aware of the missions of the Center for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases and 15% were completely unaware of them. 26% of participants were completely unaware of the structures involved in the National tuberculosis control program. Almost all of the people interviewed considered that tuberculosis is a public health problem and affirmed that there is a national program to fight tuberculosis in Morocco. The elements least cited by healthcare workers to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis are the clinical symptoms (34%) and quantiferon (17.7%). Conclusion To avoid negative attitudes, interventions are needed to ensure good knowledge about tuberculosis.