Factors Influencing Early Pulmonary Tuberculosis Case Detection

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a contagious disease which attacks mainly the respiratory system and any part of the body as extra pulmonary TB. Delayed early case detection increases the probability of cross infection and secondary complications, thus ensuing into high rates of morbidity and mortality, which is hampering the productivity of human resource. This study revealed that early PTB case detection was found to be influenced by patient related factors such as lack of knowledge about PTB, its early detection, age, marital status and others. Health facility related factors also had significant statistical association between early PTB case detection and UPDF's patients. Consequently, early PTB case detection amongst the UPDF at Bombo was found low. Therefore, commanders should be sensitized about availability of TB services and regular health education activities should be advocated through all unit establishments about PTB. This was based on adequate dissemination of appropriate information to all levels of UPDF's ranks geared at implementing outreach services to reach out especially those affected by distance and assuage the fear of stigma by creating awareness about TB.

Autorentext

Grace Baguma is a Director of Nursing under the Chieftaincy of Medical Services of UPDF. She has held numerous administrative positions during her career and her research interest is to promote quality of patient care based on evidence. She is now pursuing a second master's degree in Nursing Sciences of UCU affiliated to Bethel University, USA.