| dc.description.abstract | Background Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is globally growing as one of the biggest challenges in the public health sector, including in Nepal. MDR-TB is caused by bacteria resistant to anti-TB drugs, transmission from person to person, or ill-treatment. Many studies have been done to figure out the possible ways that could help to control MDR-TB in Nepal, but the knowledge and perception of healthcare professionals there on MDR-TB are not well documented. Healthcare professionals are crucial to the global fight against MDR-TB. Therefore, further exploration of the knowledge of healthcare professionals’ understanding of MDR-TB will help Nepal to understand the current MDR-TB presence in the country. Objectives The study aimed to investigate the knowledge and perceptions of healthcare professionals about the origin and control of MDR-TB cases in the Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal. This study also investigated the knowledge of healthcare professionals concerning barriers to MDR-TB control in Nepal and their prior experience treating MDR-TB patients. Methods A qualitative research study was conducted using in-depth interviews and FGD. Indepth interviews were conducted primarily with higher-ranked officers such as directors, monitoring, and evaluation officials etc. Out of 10 participants, 8 were government staff and 2 were INGO staff working in the sector of tuberculosis. FGD was conducted with 9 health posts incharge in the Sindhupalchowk district. Findings Three key findings emerged from this study. Healthcare professionals’ knowledge on MDR-TB and its emergence was one of the first discoveries. Healthcare professionals assigned three different definitions to MDR-TB and assumed three reasons for the emergence of MDR-TB. The second discovery revealed reasons for the increment in MDR-TB and was further divided into 3 categories. These 3 categories were patient-associated, healthcare professionals-associated, and health system associated. Patient-associated reasons were further divided into 2 subcategories, healthcare professionalsrelated reasons into 3 subcategories, and health system-associated reasons into 3 subcategories. The third discovery was MDR-TB control measures. The 9 MDR-TB control measures suggested by healthcare professionals were explained. Conclusion The study findings suggest valuable knowledge and perspectives held by healthcare professionals based on their professional experience on the emergence, increment, and control of MDR-TB in Nepal that might be applied to MDR-TB control strategies. | eng |