Mr. Gigil Marme1,3, Prof Jerzy Kuzma1, Dr Peta-Anne Zimmerman3, Prof Neil Harris4, Assoc.Prof Shannon Rutherford5
1Divine Word University, Papua New Guinea, 2Divine Word University, Madang, Papua New Guinea, 3Griffith University, Southport, Australia, 4Griffith University, Southport, Australia, 5Griffith University, Southport, Australia
Biography:
Gigil is a Lecturer in public health at Divine Word University in Papua New Guinea. He has just completed a PhD in Public Health Policy (infection control) at Griffith University, Queensland. He has published over ten publications, including four from his PhD thesis. His research interests are infection control, health systems, public health policy implementation, and tuberculosis.
Abstract:
Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) infection prevention and control (TB-IPC) is recommended as an essential public health intervention to control TB transmission worldwide. However, failure to comprehensively implement evidence-based prevention and control measures is invariably insufficient to achieve TB prevention and treatment goals. This study examined healthcare workers' (HCWs) perceptions of strategies important for TB-IPC in PNG primary healthcare (PHC) settings.
Methods
Using a nominal group technique (NGT), this study sought the views of a diverse range of HCWs from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to prioritise implementation needs for TB-IPC guidelines in practice. Group discussions were conducted with 51 HCWs and encompassed quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Diverse HCWs from national and sub-national levels and from various provinces participated in a prioritisation process.
Results
Nine key strategies drawn from a preceding study and literature review were presented to participating HCWs (ranging from clinical IPC personnel to policymakers), and from these, three significant strategies related to TB-IPC policy were identified as key priorities. These included HCWs' capacity building on TB-IPC policy and strategy, improving PHC infrastructure, and increasing community awareness of TB.
Conclusions
The HCWs have identified key strategies for effective TB-IPC practice in PHC to prevent TB transmission. This study supports previous recommendations that call for adopting a multi-prong strategy to address the high TB burden. Key stakeholders’ insights have been shared to inform public health policy and program implementation locally and as part of the global goals of TB eradication.