Tuberculosis: Are Carers Concerned About Infection Risk?

Md. Ali S.A.K., and Moissinac, K., and Yeoh, K.C.B., and Sureisen, M., and Razak A.M., (2004) Tuberculosis: Are Carers Concerned About Infection Risk? Malaysian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2 (2). pp. 41-41. ISSN 16575-7319

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Caring for patients with infectious diseases may expose carers to risks of infection. A study was undertaken to determine the perception of hospital staff as to the risk of contracting TB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Survey through using self administered structured questionnaire. Setting: Tertiary Referral Centre. The attitudes of staff working in the pulmonary medicine versus surgical out-patients clinics and wards were compared.

RESULT: Satisfactorily completed questionnaire were returned by 31 and 48 members of staff from pulmonary medicine and surgery, respectively. A higher proportion of staff in pulmonary medicine indicated that they had a high risk of infection from TB (77.4% versus 39.5%), almost always undertook precautions to reduce infection risks (80.6% versus 67.4%) and they were inadequately compensated for the risk of infection (93.9% versus 79.1%). Similar proportions indicated that (a) their job satisfaction was high (60.8% versus 58.2%), (b) they were concerned about infection risk (70% versus 76.7%), (c) they occasionally reduced contact with potentially infectious patients (29% versus 32.5%), (d) staff exposed to infection risk should be better compensated (93.5% versus 95.4%) and (e) medical and paramedical staff will choose other forms of employment if they had the opportunity (41.9% versus 49.2%). A smaller proportion of staff from pulmonary medicine indicated that they preferred a working environment with less risk (41.9%
versus 76.7%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although a larger proportion of staff from pulmonary medicine as compared to surgery
perceived that they were at a high risk of infection from TB, smaller proportion indicated the preference for a working environment with less risk or nonmedical type employment. This may illustrate their familiarity,
their being comfortable with their working environment and also their familiarity with the natural history of the disease. The large proportion who indicated that staff exposed to increased infection risks should be better compensated perhaps illustrates an issue when should be addressed

Tuberculosis: Are Carers Concerned About Infection Risk?

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Abstract