Abstract
Tuberculosis- (TB) associated stigma is a well-documented phenomenon with various factors, both individual and societal, manifesting its role in shaping health-seeking behavior and contributing to suboptimal TB care in Pakistan. The objective of this study was to assess TB-related knowledge and perceived stigma among community members. This was a cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample of 183 individuals recruited between October and December 2017. A validated stigma measurement tool developed by Van Rie et al. was adapted. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. A clear majority was aware that TB is curable disease and that it is transmitted by coughing. However, respondents also thought that TB spread through contaminated food, sharing meals, sharing utensils, and by having sexual intercourse with a TB patient. In addition, females, unemployed, and persons having less than six years of education were also more likely to associate stigma with TB. We found an association between the lack of knowledge about TB and perceived stigma. This study highlights the need for improved TB-related education among communities.
Highlights
Described as the world’s leading infectious disease, tuberculosis (TB) continues to affect an estimated 10.4 million people worldwide annually
Our study aims to address the following: Does knowledge about tuberculosis, along with demographic factors, have an association with TB-related stigma? The findings of this study will inform the development of educational and awareness raising activities to reduce TB-related stigma
Seventy-five districts participated in the Public Private Mix (PPM) model of the national TB
Summary
Described as the world’s leading infectious disease, tuberculosis (TB) continues to affect an estimated 10.4 million people worldwide annually. Pakistan is one of the 30 high burden TB countries globally that, combined, account for 56% of the global TB burden [1]. Lack of disease-specific knowledge may contribute to the high TB burden in Pakistan [2]. Prior knowledge about the disease is known to determine a person’s response to the disease [3]. Prevailing misconceptions about TB lead to social discrimination [4], social aversion [5], and stigmatization. TB knowledge and stigmatization are linked with healthcare-seeking behavior and subsequent healthcare seeking [6]
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