Stigma and infectious diseases in Africa: examining impact and strategies for reduction

Abstract

Stigma poses a significant barrier to accessing care, managing, and preventing infectious diseases in Africa. We conducted an extensive search across Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify relevant English-language articles, with no constraints on publication dates, using the keywords “Stigma,” and “Infectious Disease,” in conjunction with “Africa.” This article explores the multifaceted nature of stigma associated with infectious diseases, highlighting its impact on healthcare access and public health outcomes. It delves into the current situation of infectious disease-related stigma in Africa, emphasizing the various diseases and contexts affected. The article identifies drivers of stigma, including negative attitudes, misinformation, and institutional practices, and discusses their role in perpetuating discrimination. Importantly, it provides recommendations for addressing infectious disease stigma in Africa through comprehensive strategies encompassing health education, contact-based interventions, professionalized counseling and peer support services, and community engagement. The article calls for collaboration among governments, healthcare organizations, NGOs, and community leaders to implement holistic strategies that prioritize inclusivity and stigma reduction. Ultimately, it underscores the urgent need to combat stigma to improve healthcare access and outcomes for individuals affected by infectious diseases in Africa.

Double stigma: a cross-sectional study of Lassa patients with hearing loss in North Central Nigeria

“…This explains why some of the respondents in our study who experienced stigma due to their hearing deficit felt the strain and pain of poor communication in their relationships, which needs to be addressed to restore and improve empathy and acceptance of changes by family and community members when communicating with patients with HL. Moreover, negative attitudes, misinformation, and institutional practices have been identified as drivers of stigma in Africa ( 26 ). This raises the need for a public health framework that includes a more robust information and education plan to guide: (1) the prevention and timely treatment of LF in all communities in the country; (2) community sensitization and awareness building that addresses stigma and provides opportunities to learn sign language to facilitate communication and reduce the isolation of patients.…”