Table 1 Illustration of the interview schedule

1. Tell me a little about yourself

a. Name

b. Age

c. Occupation

2. What is your experience of attending to a tuberculosis patient at Namwala District Hospital?

3. What could be the risks of contracting tuberculosis from patients at Namwala District Hospital?

4. What has been your experience on isolation of tuberculosis patients at Namwala District Hospital?

5. How are tuberculosis infectious wastes stored within the hospital setting/ admission wards?

6. Describe your experience on the disposal of tuberculosis infectious wastes?

7. What professional practices could you say contributes to the risks of contracting tuberculosis when attending to tuberculosis patients?

8. What comes to your mind when you know that you are attending to a tuberculosis patient?

9. How do you describe your personal safety when attending to a tuberculosis patient?

10. What have you been doing in order to protect yourself when attending to a tuberculosis patient?

11. What safety measures do you take after attending to a tuberculosis patient?

12. What are the risk factors of contracting tuberculosis that health workers at Namwala District Hospital are exposed to?

13. What could be your risk behavior when attending to tuberculosis patients?

14. Tell me your experience of working in the ward where there are tuberculosis patients?

15. Briefly explain the infection prevention practices you undertake when attending to a tuberculosis patient?

16. How do you describe health workers attitudes towards safety precautions especially when attending to a tuberculosis patient?

17. Some people say it’s dangerous attending to tuberculosis patients, what is your opinion on this statement?

18. Health workers are considered to be at risk of contracting tuberculosis especially here at the hospital, what is your comment?

19 What has been your experience regarding ventilation in the wards where tuberculosis patients are admitted?

20. How spacious are the rooms were tuberculosis patients are admitted?

21. Overcrowding has been associated with tuberculosis transmission, how is the situation in the rooms were tuberculosis patients are admitted?

22. Tuberculosis awareness among health workers has been considered to be inadequate, what is your comment?

23. Finally, what do you think health promoters should do in raising awareness on tuberculosis prevention to health workers?

Thank you for your participation!!