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Level and Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Among People with Tuberculosis in Tanzania

Received: 3 August 2023     Accepted: 21 August 2023     Published: 6 September 2023
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Abstract

Background: TB-related stigma is a recognized barrier to efforts to End TB. It affects early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment and can potentially interrupt treatment. Understanding the dimension of TB-related stigma and its manifestations is critical to planning appropriate TB stigma reduction responses. However, this information is largely unknown in Tanzania. This study assessed the level and manifestations of self-TB-related stigma among people with TB. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was deployed to collect quantitative and qualitative data among people with TB in five regions of Tanzania between September 2021 and February 2022. Face-to-face interviews were used to obtain data from the participants using a modified questionnaire developed by the Stop TB Partnership to assess TB-related stigma among TB patients. Descriptive and thematic analysis were used to summarize and present findings. Results: Four hundred eighteen (418) participants were recruited, of whom 276 (66%) were males. The overall level of self-TB-related stigma was 40%, predominated by agreement of behaviours and attitudes limiting disclosure of TB status. TB-related stigma commonly manifested as social isolation, fear of contracting TB, verbal abuse, gossip, and an unwillingness to share eating utensils. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively moderate level of self-TB-related stigma among TB patients, characterized by fear of disclosure of TB status. Moreover, TB patients are inclined to be socially isolated, gossiped, and maltreated. These findings suggest the need to include TB stigma reduction responses in national TB prevention and control efforts.

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 11, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11
Page(s) 63-71
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Tuberculosis, Stigma, Level, Manifestations, Tanzania

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki, Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega, Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba, Gerald Phares Mwing’a, Oscar Leonard Kaswaga, et al. (2023). Level and Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Among People with Tuberculosis in Tanzania. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 11(5), 63-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11

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    ACS Style

    Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki; Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega; Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba; Gerald Phares Mwing’a; Oscar Leonard Kaswaga, et al. Level and Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Among People with Tuberculosis in Tanzania. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2023, 11(5), 63-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11

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    AMA Style

    Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki, Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega, Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba, Gerald Phares Mwing’a, Oscar Leonard Kaswaga, et al. Level and Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Among People with Tuberculosis in Tanzania. Eur J Prev Med. 2023;11(5):63-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11,
      author = {Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki and Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega and Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba and Gerald Phares Mwing’a and Oscar Leonard Kaswaga and Hamimu Omary Kigumi and Emmanuel Heriel Matechi and Onay Godson Lwanzali and Riziki Michael Kisonga and Mangi Job Ezekiel and Eliakimu Paul Kapyolo},
      title = {Level and Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Among People with Tuberculosis in Tanzania},
      journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
      volume = {11},
      number = {5},
      pages = {63-71},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20231105.11},
      abstract = {Background: TB-related stigma is a recognized barrier to efforts to End TB. It affects early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment and can potentially interrupt treatment. Understanding the dimension of TB-related stigma and its manifestations is critical to planning appropriate TB stigma reduction responses. However, this information is largely unknown in Tanzania. This study assessed the level and manifestations of self-TB-related stigma among people with TB. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was deployed to collect quantitative and qualitative data among people with TB in five regions of Tanzania between September 2021 and February 2022. Face-to-face interviews were used to obtain data from the participants using a modified questionnaire developed by the Stop TB Partnership to assess TB-related stigma among TB patients. Descriptive and thematic analysis were used to summarize and present findings. Results: Four hundred eighteen (418) participants were recruited, of whom 276 (66%) were males. The overall level of self-TB-related stigma was 40%, predominated by agreement of behaviours and attitudes limiting disclosure of TB status. TB-related stigma commonly manifested as social isolation, fear of contracting TB, verbal abuse, gossip, and an unwillingness to share eating utensils. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively moderate level of self-TB-related stigma among TB patients, characterized by fear of disclosure of TB status. Moreover, TB patients are inclined to be socially isolated, gossiped, and maltreated. These findings suggest the need to include TB stigma reduction responses in national TB prevention and control efforts.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Level and Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Among People with Tuberculosis in Tanzania
    AU  - Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki
    AU  - Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega
    AU  - Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba
    AU  - Gerald Phares Mwing’a
    AU  - Oscar Leonard Kaswaga
    AU  - Hamimu Omary Kigumi
    AU  - Emmanuel Heriel Matechi
    AU  - Onay Godson Lwanzali
    AU  - Riziki Michael Kisonga
    AU  - Mangi Job Ezekiel
    AU  - Eliakimu Paul Kapyolo
    Y1  - 2023/09/06
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11
    T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    SP  - 63
    EP  - 71
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8230
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.11
    AB  - Background: TB-related stigma is a recognized barrier to efforts to End TB. It affects early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment and can potentially interrupt treatment. Understanding the dimension of TB-related stigma and its manifestations is critical to planning appropriate TB stigma reduction responses. However, this information is largely unknown in Tanzania. This study assessed the level and manifestations of self-TB-related stigma among people with TB. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was deployed to collect quantitative and qualitative data among people with TB in five regions of Tanzania between September 2021 and February 2022. Face-to-face interviews were used to obtain data from the participants using a modified questionnaire developed by the Stop TB Partnership to assess TB-related stigma among TB patients. Descriptive and thematic analysis were used to summarize and present findings. Results: Four hundred eighteen (418) participants were recruited, of whom 276 (66%) were males. The overall level of self-TB-related stigma was 40%, predominated by agreement of behaviours and attitudes limiting disclosure of TB status. TB-related stigma commonly manifested as social isolation, fear of contracting TB, verbal abuse, gossip, and an unwillingness to share eating utensils. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively moderate level of self-TB-related stigma among TB patients, characterized by fear of disclosure of TB status. Moreover, TB patients are inclined to be socially isolated, gossiped, and maltreated. These findings suggest the need to include TB stigma reduction responses in national TB prevention and control efforts.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Research and Consultancy, Geita Health Training Institutes, Geita, Tanzania

  • Department of Health Research Information and Regulatory Affairs, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Medical Research, Dodoma Medical Research Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Medical Research, Dodoma Medical Research Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Department of Behavioral Science, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Medical Research, Dodoma Medical Research Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania

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