Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to identify the role of community nurses in the prevention of
tuberculosis (TB) and to identify problems experienced by them when fulfilling this role in the
Tshwane Health District of Gauteng. A non-experimental, descriptive, quantitative research
design method was used to collect data from community nurses. The sample included 59
registered nurses who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. A questionnaire was used
to collect data and quantitative data analysis methods were employed. Various opinions and
ideas on the role of community nurses in the prevention of TB and the problems experienced
were identified. Based on the results of this research, measures to protect community nurses
from contracting TB whilst on duty should be a priority. Government should support TB
programmes by providing money to non-governmental organisations and direct observed
treatment short course (DOTS) supporters to make follow-up visits to patients possible, thus
reducing the number of defaulters. Stringent measures should be taken at all border points
to ensure that foreigners are screened for TB, multidrug-resistant TB and extensively drugresistant
TB. This study was limited to community nurses in the Tshwane Health District of
Gauteng who were registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and therefore
this study could not be generalised to registered nurses in the hospital setting or even to
clinics in the rest of South Africa.
