{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.039735099337748346, 'fraction_numerical': 0.013245033112582781, 'mean_word_length': 5.601941747572815, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 1, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Factors that Contribute to Tuberculosis Control in Primary Health Care Services at Mutale Primary Health Care Sub-District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract The aim of the present study was to analyze factors associated with TB control at Mutale health subdistrict in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Using a cross-sectional descriptive study design health care providers (n=72 professional nurses), DOT supporters (n=78) and TB patient’s (n=66) from 22 Primary Health Care (PHC) clinics were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. The results are divided into three parts: (1) TB patient’s characteristics, (2) the DOT supporter’s characteristics, and (3) health-care provider characteristics. Comparing best (cure rate of e” 85%= 9 clinics) with poor TB controlling clinics (cure rate of <85%=13 clinics), lack of TB compliance was associated with poor TB knowledge among patients, perceived inaccessibility of health workers, lower experience and poor TB knowledge of DOT supporters, poor TB knowledge of health-care providers, poor TB management and lack of TB resources. Based on the multiple factors found contributing to tuberculosis control in this study recommendations made included improvement of human resources, training of health-care workers, substance use counselling of patients, special and legislative support.