Status of tuberculosis‐related stigma and associated factors: a cross‐sectional study in central China. Issue 2 (29th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yin, Xiaoxv; Yan, Shijiao; Tong, Yeqing; Peng, Xin; Yang, Tingting; Lu, Zuxun; Gong, Yanhong
• Is Part Of: Tropical medicine & international health. Volume 23:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2017-12-29
• Subjects: tuberculosis -- stigma -- risk factors -- China -- cross‐sectional survey; tuberculose -- stigmatisation -- facteurs de risque -- Chine -- enquête transversale; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 616.988
• DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2276

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant challenge to public health worldwide. Stigma is a major obstacle to TB control by leading to delay in diagnosis and treatment non‐adherence. This study aimed to evaluate the status of TB‐related stigma and its associated factors among TB patients in China. Methods: Cross‐sectional survey. Thus, 1342 TB patients were recruited from TB dispensaries in three counties in Hubei Province using a multistage sampling method and surveyed using a structured anonymous questionnaire including validated scales to measure TB‐related stigma. A generalised linear regression model was used to identify the factors associated with TB‐related stigma. Results: The average score on the TB‐related Stigma Scale was 9.33 (SD = 4.25). Generalised linear regression analysis revealed that knowledge about TB (ß = −0.18, P = 0.0025), family function (ß = −0.29, P < 0.0001) and doctor–patient communication (ß = −0.32, P = 0.0005) were negatively associated with TB‐related stigma. Conclusions: TB‐related stigma was high among TB patients in China. Interventions concentrating on reducing TB patients' stigma in China should focus on improving patients' family function and patients' knowledge about TB.