Factors associated to subjective well-being and TB infection in South Africa

Abstract

Eighty-five percent of the world's new Tuberculosis cases are found in thirty high burdened countries, one of which is South Africa. South Africa is one of the eight countries that are said to account for the two thirds of the total new Tuberculosis cases. The Tuberculosis epidemic is driven by the following reasons: firstly, poor living conditions which are a result of the wide gap between the rich and the poverty stricken among some populations; and, secondly, late presentation to health facilities. Over the years, healthcare programs have made a meaningful impact in identifying patients presenting to Tuberculosis care. A global Tuberculosis report shows an estimated sixty million lives were saved through Tuberculosis treatment and diagnosis between the years 2000 and 2019. This progress has encouraged the United Nations to set the health target of eradicating the Tuberculosis epidemic by 2030. For this goal to be attained, strategies to modify risk behaviour need to remain a main priority. In the South African context, it would be important to note the diversity of the individuals experience which is rooted in South African socio-political history and has resulted in high levels of social inequality and disparate socio-economic status groups, as a significant factor when considering the well-being of Tuberculosis infected South Africans. The aim of this research was to understand health related well-being in South Africa, by noting and comparing the diversity of life satisfaction experience between participants from different sociodemographic status groups across South Africa. In this interview statistician Motladi Matatiele and Demographer Nancy Stiegler from the University of Western Cape discuss the possible factors of subjective well-being in the Tuberculosis infected South African population and provide an understanding of the behavioural aspects tied to Tuberculosis infection.