Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries where limited access to healthcare services, inadequate awareness, delayed diagnosis, treatment interruption, and social stigma continue to affect disease control efforts. Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) serve as essential links between healthcare facilities and communities by providing health education, promoting disease prevention, identifying suspected cases, and supporting treatment adherence. This study examined the duty of Community Health Extension Workers in tuberculosis control in Port Harcourt  Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed the duty of CHEWs in creating tuberculosis awareness, examined their contribution to early detection of tuberculosis cases, determined their duty in promoting treatment adherence among tuberculosis patients, and identified challenges affecting their performance in tuberculosis control. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised Community Health Extension Workers, primary healthcare workers, tuberculosis patients, and community members in Port Harcourt  Local Government Area. A sample size of 120 respondents was selected, and 112 properly completed questionnaires were analysed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed based on the research objectives and questions. The instrument was measured using a five-point Likert scale of Strongly Agree, Agree, Undecided, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. Data collected were analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean scores, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) for hypothesis testing at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that Community Health Extension Workers play a significant duty in tuberculosis awareness creation through community education, sensitization programmes, and stigma reduction activities. The study also found that CHEWs contribute significantly to early detection of tuberculosis cases by identifying individuals with symptoms, referring suspected cases to healthcare facilities, and conducting household visits for contact tracing. Furthermore, the findings showed that CHEWs promote treatment adherence among tuberculosis patients through counselling, follow-up visits, medication reminders, and continuous patient support. However, the study identified major challenges affecting their performance, including inadequate training, limited logistics, transportation difficulties, shortage of working materials, tuberculosis stigma, and poor community cooperation. The hypothesis test showed a significant positive relationship between the duty of Community Health Extension Workers and tuberculosis control outcomes in Port Harcourt  Local Government Area (p < 0.05). Therefore, the study concluded that CHEWs have a significant duty in tuberculosis control and are important contributors to achieving effective community-based TB prevention and management. The study recommended continuous training and capacity building for CHEWs, provision of adequate logistics and resources, strengthening of community awareness programmes, improved supervision, and greater community participation in tuberculosis control activities.