Stigma and Discrimination in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional study, survey study. Finding out the situation of stigma and discrimination in pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The sample group was patients. who were treating tuberculosis and taking medication for more than 2 weeks, aged 18-90 years old, in 24 hospitals in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, totaling 355 cases. Data were collected by interview and analyzed using the Research Electronic Data Capture system. Results were reported in frequencies and percentages. The samples were male 254 (71.50%), mean age 49.50 years old (S.D. ± 30.83, Thai nationals 354 (99.72%) education level being primary school 162 (45.63%) most sample were laborer 86 (24.23%). In relation to TB transmission knowledge 287 (80.85%) of patients accurately identified breathing air contaminated with droplet the transmission mode 143 (40.28%) rightly believed that            non-airborne close contact doesn’t result in TB transmission, and 136 (38.31%) correctly assumed that shared bathroom usage does not lead to transmission. Merely 63 (17.75%) of patients were aware that following appropriate treatment for 2 weeks, they cease to be infectious. With respect to self-stigmatization, it was ascertained that 265 (74.65%) of TB patients stigmatized themselves. Social avoidance the most prevalent form of self-stigmatizing behavior. Regarding family-related discriminatory practices, 171 (48.16%) of TB patients reported being asked to isolate during sleep and meals when sick. In the workplace, 17 (13.18%) were relegated to positions with reduced interpersonal contact, 17 (13.18%) were instructed by superiors or HR officers to wear masks at work, and 7 (5.42%) were terminated due to their TB status. Concerning discrimination by healthcare providers, 34 (9.58%) reported avoidance or lack of communication by the providers, while 33 (9.30%) perceived signs of fear or disgust from them.           

These survey results point to need for accurate knowledge and understanding about TB patients, family members, public health officers, and the public at large, in order to reduce the stigmatization and discriminatory in TB patients