This document summarizes a research study on the knowledge and practices of tuberculosis (TB) clients, healthcare providers, and local government units regarding pulmonary TB and the TB Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (TB-DOTS) strategy in Albay Province, Philippines. The study found that while knowledge of TB and TB-DOTS was generally high, compliance with TB-DOTS practices was low. Key challenges included inadequate staffing and lack of medications. Overall, the study suggests raising further awareness among stakeholders to address issues in implementing TB-DOTS and reducing the TB burden in the region.

1. KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF CLIENTS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
(HCPs), AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) ON PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AND
TUBERCULOSIS-DIRECTLY OBSERVED TREATMENT SHORT COURSE (TB-DOTS)
RICHARD L. BARTOLATA
BICOL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY, PHILIPPINES

2. Problem Area/Need of Research
Tuberculosis (TB), a known communicable lung disease, is one of the
world’s deadly diseases. In the Philippines, TB is the 5th leading cause
of mortality (National Statistics Office, 2009); the 8th leading cause of
morbidity (Field Health Services Information, DOH, 2010); in the
Bicol Region, it is the 6th leading cause of morbidity and mortality
(2008).
The Department of Health (DOH) takes the lead in implementing the
National TB Program (NTP), using the Directly-Observed Treatment
Short-course (TB-DOTS) as its strategy. (WHO, 2007) Although there
is a decline in TB prevalence, the disease remains unabated.

3. Inputs/Efforts/Methodology
The research project attempted to determine the knowledge and
practices of NTP TB-DOTS stakeholders in Albay.
Specifically, it looked into the clients’ and health care providers’
(HCPs) level of knowledge on PTB and TB-DOTS and their compliance
with TB-DOTS practices as well as the problems encountered by
HCPs and LGU personnel in its implementation.

4. Methodology
This is a descriptive research.
Setting: Albay Province
Study area: 18 barangays taken from the six (6) municipalities having
the highest and lowest TB cure rate in 2012 and the three (3) cities
of the province.
Sampling method: two-stage sampling
Total number of respondents: 172 (95 PTB clients, 78 HCPs and 45
key personnel of LGUs)

5. Methodology
Instruments: interview questionnaire and observation checklist
(based on the revised NTP Manual of Operations)
Statistical treatment: frequency, percentage, and ranking
A written informed consent was obtained from the respondents
prior to data gathering.

6. Outputs of the Study
Most of the PTB clients are males (66.32 %), middle adult,
elementary level (44.21%), and below low income segment group
(81.06%);
PTB clients are predominantly poor which can make them
vulnerable to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Health care providers (HCPs) are qualified to their designated
position in NTP TB-DOTS and are equipped with related trainings and
experience.
The HCPs’ and the PTB clients’ level of knowledge on TB-DOTS,
mode of transmission, and symptomatology of PTB is generally high;

7. Outputs
TB-DOTS practices are not regularly complied with by the
HCPs (mean of 2.89), BHW as treatment partners (mean of
2.11) clients (mean of 1.87);
The problems encountered by the HCPs and LGU in the
implementation of TB DOTS include inadequacy of
manpower and lack of medications.

8. Outputs
HCPs’ and clients’ level of knowledge on PTB and TB-DOTS is
generally high but it is not translated to their regular compliance
with its practices and absolute conformity to NTP manual of
operation which may be brought about by the problems in its
implementation.
LGUs’ support to TB-DOTS as NTP strategy is shown by their
efforts to address the problems in its implementation. However,
there is still a need to raise LGUs’ awareness of TB-DOTS
activities through orientation, seminars, fora, and symposia.