Social stigma among tuberculosis patients attending DOTS centers in Delhi

Abstract

Background: Every year >9 million people suffer from tuberculosis (TB) and India accounts for >25% of global TB burden. Tuberculosis patients experience both psychological and social suffering. Amongst the problems met by tuberculosis patients, social stigma has been increasingly recognized. This study was done to assess social stigma and associated factors among the tuberculosis patients attending Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) centers in South East Delhi. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out among tuberculosis patients availing treatment from DOTS centers of South East Delhi. Out of 48 DOTS centers in South East Delhi, 6 centers were selected on the basis of population proportion to size. A total of 270 TB patients were interviewed using a semi-structured, pretested questionnaire consisting of stigma-based questions. Fisher exact and Chi-square test applied. Results: The mean age of patients was 31.5 years (SD ± 11.5) with age ranging from 18 to 77 years. Males were higher (57.4%) compared to females (42.6%). 123 (45.5%) perceived stigma with family/friends and 92/158 (58.2%) perceived stigma at workplace. Young patients (<30 years), males faced more stigma at workplace and lower socioeconomic class faced higher stigma with family and friends ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is still higher stigmatization faced by patients with TB at family/friends and at workplace. Motivation by friends/family and support at workplace has been crucial in achieving successful treatment outcomes.

Stigma and Associated Sex Disparities Among Patients with Tuberculosis in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…We found that nearly three in four patients (75.7%) with tuberculosis in Uganda experience anticipated stigma. This prevalence is higher than levels of anticipated/perceived stigma in patients with TB that ranged from 42.4% to 52% reported in other studies done in Uganda, Ethiopia, India and Cambodia [19,[26][27][28]. In India, the prevalence of perceived stigma among patients with TB when dealing with family and friends was 45.5% and 58.2% when at the workplace [27].…”

“…This prevalence is higher than levels of anticipated/perceived stigma in patients with TB that ranged from 42.4% to 52% reported in other studies done in Uganda, Ethiopia, India and Cambodia [ 19 , 26 – 28 ]. In India, the prevalence of perceived stigma among patients with TB when dealing with family and friends was 45.5% and 58.2% when at the workplace [ 27 ]. These studies were conducted in variable settings including both urban and rural TB clinics, and community settings.…”

Intestinal tuberculosis—the challenging mimicker—in a young Sudanese patient: A case report

“…Additionally, people are more likely to spread the illness if they delay seeking treatment due to stigma. 15 And it is due to high level of stigma associated with TB in Sudan that we faced a lot of troubles regarding family denial of the patient pulmonary tuberculosis and the loss to follow‐up.…”

“…Social stigma is still a significant and under‐appreciated factor that contributes to under‐reporting of TB cases to the healthcare system and treatment by unregistered healthcare professionals. Additionally, people are more likely to spread the illness if they delay seeking treatment due to stigma 15 . And it is due to high level of stigma associated with TB in Sudan that we faced a lot of troubles regarding family denial of the patient pulmonary tuberculosis and the loss to follow‐up.…”

Evaluation of Spirometric Measures and Quality of Sleep in Tuberculosis Patients and Their Non-Tuberculosis Family Caregivers

“…Post-tuberculosis pulmonary dysfunction has therefore emerged as a distinct clinical entity, which subsequently impairs the quality of life of patients [5] Tuberculosis patients suffer from co-morbid depression and anxiety, which ultimately may lead to sleep deprivation, hence affecting the physical and/or cognitive function and thus jeopardizes the quality of life [6,7]. Several studies have postulated the prevalence of co-morbid depression and anxiety among tuberculosis patients, but there exists a dearth of literature associated with the sleep quality among TB patients [8,9,10]. Family contacts exposed to TB patients are at greater risk of contracting TB than the general population [11].…”