Assessment of knowledge about tuberculosis among nurses in Misurata, Libya

Background: Nurses make up by far the largest group of healthcare workers in any part of the world and have an important role to play in the direct management of tuberculosis (TB) patients and consequently face a high risk of infection. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about TB disease among nurses in Misurata, Libya. Methodology: The study was conducted among 396 nurses working in two public hospitals and five district primary healthcare centres in the province of Misurata, Libya. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate the nurses’ level of knowledge on TB. Results: Out of the participants, 152 (38.4%) were male and 244 (61.6%) were female. The majority of the participants were in the 26–40 years age group. The results revealed that the overall level of knowledge about the TB disease was poor as only one-fifth (21%) of the nurses gave the correct responses regarding TB symptoms, transmission, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. The level of knowledge about the prevention of TB was significantly higher among nurses who held a bachelor degree compared to others (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Most of the nurses who participated in this study were lacking in knowledge on TB. Active educational interventions, such as regular TB awareness programmes in hospitals, are required to improve knowledge about TB. Also, the nursing programme curriculum should be revised and updated in Libya to better prepare nurses to deal with incidences of TB.