An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practises on TB Preventive Treatment in Chipinge District Zimbabwe 2024.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading infectious disease cause of death worldwide. TB preventive treatment (TPT) is critical to reducing TB incidence, yet uptake remains suboptimal in many settings. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to TPT is important to inform strategies to improve access and adherence. A cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted among a representative sample of adults in Chipinge District Manicaland province between January to June 2024. Participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires to assess their knowledge of TB and TPT, attitudes towards TPT, and self-reported practices related to TPT uptake and completion. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with TPT knowledge, attitudes, and completion. The study population was stratified into three risk groups (Health workers, People living with HIV/AIDS, contacts of TB cases) A total sample of 20 was extrapolated from the population. This sample represented 30% of the study population 8(40%) respondents were contacts of TB cases, 6 (30%) respondents were Health workers and 6(30%) respondents were HIV positive patients. Findings indicated that 2 (10%) of the respondents were knowledgeable and 18(90%) of the respondents were not knowledgeable about TB preventive treatment. In order to get more information about knowledge on TB from causative agent, signs and symptoms as well prevention and control level of misconception were further asses and showed that 18(90%) respondents had misconceptions while 2(10%) respondents do not have misconceptions towards TB preventive treatment activities. On misconceptions 12(60%) of respondents were from contacts of TB cases, 4 (20%) of respondents were HIV positive patients and 2(10%) of respondents were Health workers to make a total of 18(90%) respondents with misconceptions towards TB preventive treatment. 3(15%) of respondents had positive attitudes while 17(85%) respondents had negative attitudes towards TB preventive Treatment, 16(80%) respondents had stigma and fear while 4(20%) respondents were with no stigma and fear, 6 (30%) respondents have trust in the Health care system and 14 (70%) respondents do not have trust in health care system. On practices towards TB prevention and control measures 5 (25%) of the respondents had optimal practices and 15(75%) of respondents had suboptimal practices on TB preventive treatment. 5(25%) respondents had good adherence and 15(25%) respondents had poor adherence to TB preventive treatment regiments. 5(25%) respondents had good uptake and 15(75%) respondents had bad uptake of TB preventive treatment. On uptake study further revealed that 1(5%) from the HIV positive, 6(30%) health workers and 8(40%) contacts of TB index cases to make a total of 15(75%) respondents that had bad uptake of TB preventive treatment. This study reveals important gaps in knowledge, negative attitudes, and incomplete uptake of TPT in this setting. The findings underscore the need for multi-faceted interventions to improve TPT awareness, acceptability, and adherence within this population. Targeted education, community engagement, and health system strengthening are recommended to overcome the identified barrier.