Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India

Background: Stigma associated with tuberculosis (TB) is still common in many societies, contributing to delays in treatment seeking and treatment non-compliance. India has the highest burden of TB in the world with female TB patients bearing a considerable burden of TB-related stigma. Objectives: Th...

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Autores principales:	Reshmi Mukerji, Janet M. Turan
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Ubiquity Press 2018
Materias:	Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/201ccd76e9fc4a0bbf026b01f6672347
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:201ccd76e9fc4a0bbf026b01f66723472021-12-02T01:41:04ZExploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India2214-999610.29024/aogh.2383https://doaj.org/article/201ccd76e9fc4a0bbf026b01f66723472018-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/2383https://doaj.org/toc/2214-9996Background: Stigma associated with tuberculosis (TB) is still common in many societies, contributing to delays in treatment seeking and treatment non-compliance. India has the highest burden of TB in the world with female TB patients bearing a considerable burden of TB-related stigma. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the manifestations and consequences of stigma experienced by female TB patients in an urban setting in India and their strategies to cope with the social stigma of TB. Methods: Twenty qualitative interviews were conducted with female TB patients who were either currently on treatment or had undergone treatment at a TB clinic in Kolkata, India. Data were coded and analyzed with the NVivo qualitative software using a thematic approach. Results: Our results indicated that TB stigma mainly manifested through social isolation and avoidance due to fear of contagion, gossip and verbal abuse, failed marriage prospects, and neglect from family. Consequences of stigma described by the women included non-disclosure, feelings of guilt, and mental health issues including suicidal ideation. Positive coping strategies used by women to cope with the experiences of stigma included positive reframing, prayer, talking to other patients, focusing on school work, and relaxation activities. Negative coping activities included self-imposed social isolation and anger. In some cases, non-disclosure due to stigma had an impact on TB transmission and control behaviors. Conclusions: Stigma-reduction strategies, such as community awareness programs and formation of social support groups to dispel the myths and misconceptions associated with TB, may improve TB treatment seeking and adherence. Acknowledgement: Our deepest thanks to the Reverend, St. James’ Church, Dr. Ali Akbar Chowdhury (Medical Officer), staff and participants at the Calcutta Diocesan Tuberculosis Relief Trust, without whom this study would not be possible. We also thank Sushmita Mukherjee for help with translations. Lastly, we thank the Sparkman Center for Global Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for providing travel funds for this study.Reshmi MukerjiJanet M. TuranUbiquity PressarticleInfectious and parasitic diseasesRC109-216Public aspects of medicineRA1-1270ENAnnals of Global Health, Vol 84, Iss 4, Pp 727-735 (2018)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
spellingShingle	Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 Reshmi Mukerji Janet M. Turan Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India
description	Background: Stigma associated with tuberculosis (TB) is still common in many societies, contributing to delays in treatment seeking and treatment non-compliance. India has the highest burden of TB in the world with female TB patients bearing a considerable burden of TB-related stigma. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the manifestations and consequences of stigma experienced by female TB patients in an urban setting in India and their strategies to cope with the social stigma of TB. Methods: Twenty qualitative interviews were conducted with female TB patients who were either currently on treatment or had undergone treatment at a TB clinic in Kolkata, India. Data were coded and analyzed with the NVivo qualitative software using a thematic approach. Results: Our results indicated that TB stigma mainly manifested through social isolation and avoidance due to fear of contagion, gossip and verbal abuse, failed marriage prospects, and neglect from family. Consequences of stigma described by the women included non-disclosure, feelings of guilt, and mental health issues including suicidal ideation. Positive coping strategies used by women to cope with the experiences of stigma included positive reframing, prayer, talking to other patients, focusing on school work, and relaxation activities. Negative coping activities included self-imposed social isolation and anger. In some cases, non-disclosure due to stigma had an impact on TB transmission and control behaviors. Conclusions: Stigma-reduction strategies, such as community awareness programs and formation of social support groups to dispel the myths and misconceptions associated with TB, may improve TB treatment seeking and adherence. Acknowledgement: Our deepest thanks to the Reverend, St. James’ Church, Dr. Ali Akbar Chowdhury (Medical Officer), staff and participants at the Calcutta Diocesan Tuberculosis Relief Trust, without whom this study would not be possible. We also thank Sushmita Mukherjee for help with translations. Lastly, we thank the Sparkman Center for Global Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for providing travel funds for this study.
format	article
author	Reshmi Mukerji Janet M. Turan
author_facet	Reshmi Mukerji Janet M. Turan
author_sort	Reshmi Mukerji
title	Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India
title_short	Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India
title_full	Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India
title_fullStr	Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India
title_full_unstemmed	Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India
title_sort	exploring manifestations of tb-related stigma experienced by women in kolkata, india
publisher	Ubiquity Press
publishDate	2018
url	https://doaj.org/article/201ccd76e9fc4a0bbf026b01f6672347
work_keys_str_mv	AT reshmimukerji exploringmanifestationsoftbrelatedstigmaexperiencedbywomeninkolkataindia AT janetmturan exploringmanifestationsoftbrelatedstigmaexperiencedbywomeninkolkataindia
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Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India

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