RESUMO
Background: National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) adopted Stop TB strategy in 2006 as a result of high TB burden which outlined engagement of all care providers including Private Pharmacists (PP) in TB control. However, there were no previous baseline studies done on knowledge and practices on TB control among private pharmacists needed to appraise their potential role and contribution to TB control which forms the basis of this study. Aims & Objective: To provide relevant information about tuberculosis case detection skills among private pharmacists in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria for the purpose of policy initiation, planning and decision making. Material and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study using pre-tested structured questionnaire was conducted in November, 2007 among 47 Private Pharmacists (PP) randomly selected in Osogbo, South West, Nigeria. Verbal consent was taken before given the questionnaire. Sampling technique was a convenient sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS v 16. Results: Almost all Private pharmacists interviewed (80.9%) were seeing TB suspects and had a good knowledge on TB etiology (100%) and air borne route of transmission (70%). Majority (90%) did not know TB treatment duration and standardized drug regimen for adult (93%) and children (97.9%). Less than half (40.4%) regarded sputum microscopy as the best test to confirm diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, majority (99%) had no previous training on standard guidelines on TB control by the National Program. Conclusion: Private pharmacists were seen TB suspects with inadequate knowledge on Nigerian Guidelines on TB control. National tuberculosis and Leprosy control program (NTBLCP) must take appropriate measure to educate and train Private Pharmacists in TB management.
RESUMO
Background: The attitudes toward people with epilepsy are influenced by the degree of knowledge of the condition. The social problems encountered by school children with epilepsy as a result of negative attitude and beliefs are quite enormous. Objectives The study therefore looked at the knowledge; attitudes; and perceptions of teachers; who see a lot of epileptics; relate to them on a daily basis and have influence on them. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey; using a self-administered questionnaire obtained from the author of a similar study in the United States; was carried out among 269 school teachers randomly selected from various secondary schools in Osogbo; the Osun State capital in South-West Nigeria. The questionnaire included the scale of attitudes toward persons with epilepsy and knowledge about epilepsy as well as demographic and teaching experience survey among others. Results Despite the high level of education of the teachers ranging from Masters Degree to National Certificate in Education; there were significant deficits in terms of general knowledge about epilepsy (70 of the respondents reported their general knowledge about epilepsy in the lower half of the scale). There was also poor knowledge of the first aids measures in the classrooms. Below one-third (29.2) felt it was contagious and 40 of respondents reported that sufferers should not be kept in regular classes. However; their attitudes toward epilepsy were generally positive. Conclusions and Recommendations: We concluded that teachers need to have health education courses on common disease conditions such as epilepsy that are prevalent in school age; this might help to reduce the prejudice and increase the acceptance of epileptic individuals in the classrooms. Also; generally public health campaigns should be encouraged in this field