Date of Award
1-1-2020
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Department
School of Public Health
First Advisor
Luke Davis
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and adversely affects persons living with HIV. TB is a highly stigmatizing disease and has been shown to interfere in household TB contact investigation. The objective of this study was to investigate the severity and characteristics of TB stigma through a multiple methods approach. Quantitative methods involved distributing Van Rie Stigma Scales validated in Southeast to household contacts of Index TB patients during routine household TB contact investigation. Qualitative methods involved interviewing household contacts about their attitudes towards household contact investigation, knowledge of TB transmission and treatment, and perceptions of community attitudes towards TB. Community health workers (CHWs) were also interviewed about their perceptions of household contacts’ TB knowledge and the community’s perceptions of TB. This study found that women, household contacts 28 years of age and over, and household contacts of index patients who visited the Kawaala health center had increased perceived TB stigma. Additionally, household contacts and community members had a lack of knowledge about TB risk factors and treatment. Also, household contacts had positive attitudes towards household contact investigation. Further research is needed to find ways to disseminate TB education within the community and make household TB contact investigation as confidential as possible to mitigate stigma.
Recommended Citation
James, Amber, "Measuring Tb Stigma In Kampala, Uganda" (2020). Public Health Theses. 1950.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysphtdl/1950
