Knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection among patients with tuberculosis in Walvis Bay District, Namibia

Abstract

The study was conducted among TB patients aged 18 years and older who were registered from January to June 2010. The findings showed a high level of knowledge on TB/HIV prevention and a low level of knowledge on TB/HIV treatment and care. The study also showed that respondents who did not know their HIV status had a positive attitude towards VCT services, while those who knew their status had a positive attitude towards HIV/TB prevention and care programmes. Finally, the findings also showed that most respondents trusted conventional medicine more than traditional medicine. All these findings suggested that respondents had good knowledge of HIV and TB co-infection, had a positive attitude and practiced favourable behaviour towards programmes related to the prevention and care of this co-infection.