Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Tuberculosis among Nurse and Allied Health Staffs in Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge globally, particularly in high-burden countries like India. Nurses and allied health staff play a critical role in TB control, and their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) are vital for effective prevention and management. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to TB among nurses and allied health science (AHS) staff working in a tertiary care hospital in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 randomly selected staff nurses and AHS staff from November 2023 to January 2024. A self-administered structured questionnaire, developed using the WHO STEPS framework, was used for data collection via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis (Chi-square and t-test/ANOVA) were performed using SPSS version 25. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.6 ± 6.42 years; 94.7% were female. Overall, 59% demonstrated good knowledge, while 41% had poor knowledge about TB. A significant association was observed between knowledge levels and years of experience ( P < 0.001). Although most participants recognized TB as a serious condition and a treatable bacterial infection, misconceptions regarding transmission and treatment persist. Attitudinal stigma and mixed practices regarding infection control were also noted. Conclusion: The study highlights moderate awareness and varying attitudes and practices among healthcare staff. Targeted educational interventions are necessary to bridge knowledge gaps, reduce stigma, and promote effective TB control strategies.