Increasing Knowledge of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Managers in Controlling and Managing Tuberculosis (TB) Cases in Yogyakarta City

Abstract

Background: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Tuberculosis (TB) have high morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. However, cross-program disease management in health facilities around countries with a high TB burden, such as Indonesia, is generally ineffective.

Purpose: This research aimed to increase the knowledge of NCD managers regarding their role while increasing TB case detection.

Methods: This research used a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, non-control group method with a totalsampling of all health workers managing NCDs from Community Health Centers and hospitals in Yogyakarta (n=25). The intervention provided was delivering material on integrated TB-diabetes mellitus (DM) screeningand management using lecture and discussion methods. The instrument used for data collection was aquestionnaire (10 statements) with true and false answers. Results: Based on Wilcoxon’s Signed Ranks Test analysis, there was a significant increase in knowledge among respondents between before and after beinggiven education (p=0.000), with an increase in the mean pre and post-test- from 55.2 to 77.6. Kruskal-Wallis analysis showed no relationship between age and knowledge (pre-test, p=0.110- post-test, p=0.693). There was also no relationship between years of service and knowledge in pre-test (p=0.158) and post-test (p=0.274) scores.

Conclusion: In conclusion, providing health education to health service implementers has increased knowledge about TB case finding. Educational programs for health care workers can hopefully be carried out on an ongoing basis and supported by policies and the availability of the infrastructure needed to be effectively implemented.