Tuberculosis and stigmatization: pathways and interventions

Public Health Rep. 2010 Jul-Aug;125 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):34-42. doi: 10.1177/00333549101250S407.

Abstract

The institutional and community norms that lead to the stigmatization of tuberculosis (TB) are thought to hinder TB control. We performed a systematic review of the literature on TB stigma to identify the causes and evaluate the impact of stigma on TB diagnosis and treatment. Several themes emerged: fear of infection is the most common cause of TB stigma; TB stigma has serious socioeconomic consequences, particularly for women; qualitative approaches to measuring TB stigma are more commonly utilized than quantitative surveys; TB stigma is perceived to increase TB diagnostic delay and treatment noncompliance, although attempts to quantify its impact have produced mixed results; and interventions exist that may reduce TB stigma. Future research should continue to characterize TB stigma in different populations; use validated survey instruments to quantify the impact of TB stigma on TB diagnostic delay, treatment compliance, and morbidity and mortality; and develop additional TB stigma-reduction strategies.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Prejudice*
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis / prevention & control*