Learning Objective #1: Discuss the factors influencing nurses' knowledge in caring for patients with pulmonary TB

Learning Objective #2: Describe how to improve nurses' capacity and use DOTS as a guideline in caring for patients with TB

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A descriptive study was designed to identify factors influencing nurses' knowledge in providing care to patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in tertiary care settings in Thailand. A purposive sampling of 120 registered nurses was conducted. The data were collected using questionnaires of perception and knowledge of nurses in caring for patients with TB. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that 84.2% of the subjects had experiences in providing care to patients with TB. Most of them (85%) perceived that they did not have enough knowledge in caring for patients with TB and they needed more knowledge. In addition, three-quarters of them did not know the strategy of TB treatment like Directed Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS), and close to three-quarters, or 72%, perceived that the epidemic of TB was increasing, the control of TB infection was not standardized, and the prevention of TB transmission to health personnel was inadequate. Also, more than half of the subjects (67%) had moderate or lower levels of knowledge of TB in terms of pathophysiology and treatment, self-care, management of side effects of drugs, long-term care, and control of TB transmission in the community. Furthermore, it was found that nurses' knowledge was significantly correlated with their educational background, experience of caring for patients with TB, age, length of work, and knowledge of DOTS (P< .05). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that knowledge of DOTS and length of work affected nurses' knowledge in caring for patients with TB with statistical significant (p<. 01). The findings of the present study shed lights on how to provide continuing education and advanced nursing training to develop nurses' knowledge, particularly how to provide care to TB patients using the DOTS strategy to improve quality of care.