Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of barangay health workers in Marawi City regarding Hansen’s disease.
- Author:
Aznaida T. Pandapatan
1
;
Belen L. Dofitas
1
;
Mia Katrina R. Gervasio
1
;
Jolene Kristine G. Dumlao
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Hansen’s Disease; Practices
- MeSH: Leprosy; Knowledge; Attitude; Health Personnel; Healthcare Workers; Social Stigma
- From: Acta Medica Philippina 2024;58(17):8-16
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Marawi City regarding Hansen’s Disease (HD).
METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted among the Barangay Health Workers of Marawi City. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 was questionnaire development where the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire was formulated and administered to six Barangay Health Workers for pre-testing. Phase 2 of the study included the survey and focus group discussion (FGD). A questionnaire comprising of 27 questions was administered to BHWs to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HD.
RESULTSA total of 49 BHWs underwent the Phase 2 survey and six BHWs joined the FGD. The mean age of all the survey participants was 34.9 ± 19.3 years. Among the 49 participants, 40 (81.6%) were females. The knowledge of BHWs was found to be adequate only in six (12%) BHWs. Positive attitude was observed in 12 (24.5%) and adequate practices regarding HD were observed in 33 (67.3%) BHWs. First-hand experience of diagnosing HD patients was significantly associated with adequate knowledge (p < 0.001) and positive attitude of BHWs (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between > 5 years of experience as BHWs (p = 0.027) and first-hand experience in diagnosing leprosy (p = 0.005) with adequate practices of BHWs regarding HD. In the FGD, BHWs expressed their lack of training which highlighted the need for refresher courses on HD.
CONCLUSIONKnowledge about HD is low among Marawi BHWs due to their inadequate training. The attitudes and practices of BHWs are also affected because of deficient knowledge regarding etiology and transmission of HD. There is a need for adequate training and refresher courses on HD to increase the knowledge of BHWs regarding HD.
- Full text:20241106164309275182.pdf