Abstract
BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) and human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) stigmas affect public attitudes toward TB treatment and policy. This study examined 'stigmatizing' ideas and the view that 'TB patients should line-up in the chronic illness queue' in relation to preferences and attitudes toward TB treatment.MethodsData were gathered through a survey administered to respondents from 1,020 households in Grahamstown. The survey measured stigmatization surrounding TB and HIV/AIDS, and determined perceptions of respondents whether TB patients should queue with other chronically ill patients. Respondents selected support and treatment options they felt would benefit TB patients. Statistical analysis identified the prevalence of TB and HIV/AIDS stigmas. Logistic regression analyses explored associations between stigmatizing ideas, views regarding TB patients in the chronic illness queue, and attitudes toward support and treatment.ResultsRespondents with TB stigmatizing ideas held positive attitudes toward volunteer support, special TB queues, and treatment at clinics; they held negative attitudes toward temporary disability grants, provision of information at work or school, and treatment at the TB hospital. Respondents who felt it beneficial for TB patients to queue with other chronically ill patients conversely held positive attitudes toward provision of porridge and disability grants, and treatment at the TB hospital; they held negative attitudes toward volunteer support, special TB queues, information provision at work or school, and treatment at clinics.ConclusionThese results showed that two varying views related to visibility factors that expose patients to stigmatization (one characterized by TB stigma, the other by the view that TB patients should queue with other chronically ill patients) are associated with opposing attitudes and preferences towards TB treatment. These opposing attitudes complicate treatment outcomes, and suggest that complex behaviors must be taken into account when designing health policy.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) and human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) stigmas affect public attitudes toward TB treatment and policy
When we look at the respondents who agree or disagree with the belief that it would be beneficial to have TB patients queuing with chronic diseases, we found that they differ on the TB stigma scale
TB stigmatizing ideas were significantly associated with a negative attitude toward providing TB patients disability grants and allaying fears of contagion at work or school; they were significantly related to a positive attitude toward Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) volunteers and special queues for TB patients at the clinics
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) and human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) stigmas affect public attitudes toward TB treatment and policy. This study examined ‘stigmatizing’ ideas and the view that ‘TB patients should line-up in the chronic illness queue’ in relation to preferences and attitudes toward TB treatment. Disease-related stigmas negatively influence treatment, including that of TB [5,6,7]. Disease-related stigmas negatively affect public attitudes toward prevention, service provision, and health-related policies. A study on stigmas has indicated that people with less stigmatizing ideas were significantly more favorably responsive to disease-related governmental policies [10]. Different views related to visibility factors that expose patients to stigmatization may lead to varying attitudes and preferences towards TB treatment. An intervention that recasts TB and HIV as chronic manageable conditions [12] may be one such effort
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