Lay Perceptions about Tuberculosis among Non-UK-Born Black Africans in the United Kingdom

Caroline Asiimwe,Ruth Cross,Jessica Haberer

doi:10.4236/jtr.2015.34023

Caroline Asiimwe, Ruth Cross + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/jtr.2015.34023

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Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis among non-UK-born Black Africans has been gradually recognized as a public health problem in the UK despite the various interventions implemented. Objectives: To explore the perceptions of non-UK-born Black Africans about TB health risk; to explore the health seeking behavior of the non-UK-born Black Africans in relation to TB and to explore lay views on TB health education and screening as opportunities for health promotion. Methodology and Study Design: A qualitative methodology was used on a purposively selected sample of 12 non-UK-born Black Africans living in Leeds. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the lay perceptions about TB. Thematic analysis was used to derive important themes in accordance to the study objectives. Ethical approval was provided by Leeds Metropolitan University. Setting: Community setting of non-UK-born Black Africans in Leeds, UK. Results: This population holds mixed views and perceptions about tuberculosis, few facilitators and many barriers existed to current TB prevention efforts. The barriers included: language barriers, barriers related to services and systems, immigration status and stigma despite the benefits involved. The potential for black African communities to readily increase the likelihood of behavior change was found as an important finding for this study. Conclusions: Tuberculosis is a preventable public health problem. Involvement of the non-UK-born black Africans communities in the TB prevention may be beneficial for reducing and tackling TB rates in this population. Such an approach is potentially inexpensive and more readily implementable than other suggested strategies such as changes to immigration policies.

Highlights

Approximately two billion people are infected with tuberculosis (TB). 1.7 million people die each year and nine million people are newly diagnosed with TB annually [1]
Go to the religious leaders because most of us belong to these churches.”. In this qualitative study of non-UK-born black Africans, we found with mixed accuracy in knowledge, perceptions about TB risk, barriers and relatively few facilitators for TB health promotion opportunities
The lack of TB health seeking behavior among black Africans living in the UK can be explained by the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework that provides the understanding of factors

Summary

Introduction

Approximately two billion people are infected with tuberculosis (TB). 1.7 million people die each year and nine million people are newly diagnosed with TB annually [1]. Tuberculosis among non-UK-born Black Africans has been gradually recognized as a public health problem in the UK despite the various interventions implemented. Involvement of the non-UK-born black Africans communities in the TB prevention may be beneficial for reducing and tackling TB rates in this population. Such an approach is potentially inexpensive and more readily implementable than other suggested strategies such as changes to immigration policies. Age: Gender: Country of origin: How long have you stayed in Leeds, UK, or tell me about yourself Vignette: Moses is a non-UK-born Black African who has lived in Leeds, UK for 3 years. Objective 1: Questions regarding perceptions of non-UK-born Black Africans about TB health risk. Screening 1) What is your view on screening the non-UK-born Black Africans immigrants for TB? Probe: in your opinion what makes it an improper to prevent TB? Why and how? Probe: In your opinion what makes it a proper way to prevent TB? How?

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion