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Level, Experiences and Manifestations of Community TB-Related Stigma in Tanzania

Received: 30 March 2023    Accepted: 4 May 2023    Published: 27 July 2023
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Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of public importance worldwide including Tanzania. There is increasing recognition that TB-related stigma is a barrier to TB control and prevention. However, there is a paucity of information about community TB-related stigma in our settings. This study was objected to assess the level, experiences, and manifestations of community TB-related stigma. Methods: Between September 2021 and February 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted to collect quantitative and qualitative information about community TB-related stigma in five regions of Tanzania. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data among community members using a modified questionnaire to assess community TB stigma created by the Stop TB Partnership. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to summarize and present findings of this study. Results: One hundred seventy-one (171) community members were recruited. The overall level of community TB-related stigma was 71.5%. The TB stigma was mainly characterized by supporting behaviours and attitudes that limit contact with TB patients. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the community members experienced community members being stigmatized because of their TB status. The common manifestations of community TB-related stigma were isolation, mistreatment, being denied supports, and refusing to share housing, eating and drinking utensils. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively high level of community TB-related stigma in Tanzania, suggesting the need to include TB stigma reduction interventions in national TB control and prevention response strategies.

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 11, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13
Page(s) 53-59
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Tuberculosis, Stigma, Community, Manifestations, Tanzania

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki, Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega, Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba, Gerald Phares Mwing’a, Oscar Leonard Kaswaga, et al. (2023). Level, Experiences and Manifestations of Community TB-Related Stigma in Tanzania. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 11(4), 53-59. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13

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    ACS Style

    Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki; Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega; Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba; Gerald Phares Mwing’a; Oscar Leonard Kaswaga, et al. Level, Experiences and Manifestations of Community TB-Related Stigma in Tanzania. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2023, 11(4), 53-59. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13

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    AMA Style

    Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki, Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega, Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba, Gerald Phares Mwing’a, Oscar Leonard Kaswaga, et al. Level, Experiences and Manifestations of Community TB-Related Stigma in Tanzania. Eur J Prev Med. 2023;11(4):53-59. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13,
      author = {Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki and Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega and Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba and Gerald Phares Mwing’a and Oscar Leonard Kaswaga and Hamimu Omary Kigumi and Emmanuel Heriel Matechi and Onay Godson Lwanzali and Riziki Michael Kisonga and Mangi Job Ezekiel and Eliakimu Paul Kapyolo},
      title = {Level, Experiences and Manifestations of Community TB-Related Stigma in Tanzania},
      journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
      volume = {11},
      number = {4},
      pages = {53-59},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20231104.13},
      abstract = {Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of public importance worldwide including Tanzania. There is increasing recognition that TB-related stigma is a barrier to TB control and prevention. However, there is a paucity of information about community TB-related stigma in our settings. This study was objected to assess the level, experiences, and manifestations of community TB-related stigma. Methods: Between September 2021 and February 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted to collect quantitative and qualitative information about community TB-related stigma in five regions of Tanzania. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data among community members using a modified questionnaire to assess community TB stigma created by the Stop TB Partnership. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to summarize and present findings of this study. Results: One hundred seventy-one (171) community members were recruited. The overall level of community TB-related stigma was 71.5%. The TB stigma was mainly characterized by supporting behaviours and attitudes that limit contact with TB patients. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the community members experienced community members being stigmatized because of their TB status. The common manifestations of community TB-related stigma were isolation, mistreatment, being denied supports, and refusing to share housing, eating and drinking utensils. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively high level of community TB-related stigma in Tanzania, suggesting the need to include TB stigma reduction interventions in national TB control and prevention response strategies.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Level, Experiences and Manifestations of Community TB-Related Stigma in Tanzania
    AU  - Wilbard Deogratius Muhandiki
    AU  - Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega
    AU  - Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba
    AU  - Gerald Phares Mwing’a
    AU  - Oscar Leonard Kaswaga
    AU  - Hamimu Omary Kigumi
    AU  - Emmanuel Heriel Matechi
    AU  - Onay Godson Lwanzali
    AU  - Riziki Michael Kisonga
    AU  - Mangi Job Ezekiel
    AU  - Eliakimu Paul Kapyolo
    Y1  - 2023/07/27
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13
    T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    SP  - 53
    EP  - 59
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8230
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231104.13
    AB  - Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of public importance worldwide including Tanzania. There is increasing recognition that TB-related stigma is a barrier to TB control and prevention. However, there is a paucity of information about community TB-related stigma in our settings. This study was objected to assess the level, experiences, and manifestations of community TB-related stigma. Methods: Between September 2021 and February 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted to collect quantitative and qualitative information about community TB-related stigma in five regions of Tanzania. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data among community members using a modified questionnaire to assess community TB stigma created by the Stop TB Partnership. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to summarize and present findings of this study. Results: One hundred seventy-one (171) community members were recruited. The overall level of community TB-related stigma was 71.5%. The TB stigma was mainly characterized by supporting behaviours and attitudes that limit contact with TB patients. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the community members experienced community members being stigmatized because of their TB status. The common manifestations of community TB-related stigma were isolation, mistreatment, being denied supports, and refusing to share housing, eating and drinking utensils. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively high level of community TB-related stigma in Tanzania, suggesting the need to include TB stigma reduction interventions in national TB control and prevention response strategies.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Research and Consultancy, Geita Health Training Institutes, Geita, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Health Research Information and Regulatory Affairs, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Medical Research, Dodoma Medical Research Centre, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Medical Research, Dodoma Medical Research Centre, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Behavioral Science, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Clinical Research, National Institute for Medical Research, Dodoma Medical Research Centre, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

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