A qualitative exploration into the presence of TB stigmatization across three districts in South Africa

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) stigma is a barrier to active case finding and delivery of care in fighting the TB epidemic. As part of a project exploring different models for delivery of TB contact tracing, we conducted a qualitative analysis to explore the presence of TB stigma within communities across South Africa.MethodsWe conducted 43 in-depth interviews with 31 people with TB and 12 household contacts as well as five focus group discussions with 40 ward-based team members and 11 community stakeholders across three South African districts.ResultsTB stigma is driven and facilitated by fear of disease coupled with an understanding of TB/HIV duality and manifests as anticipated and internalized stigma. Individuals are marked with TB stigma verbally through gossip and visually through symptomatic identification or when accessing care in either TB-specific areas in health clinics or though ward-based outreach teams. Individuals' unique understanding of stigma influences how they seek care.ConclusionTB stigma contributes to suboptimal case finding and care at the community level in South Africa. Interventions to combat stigma, such as community and individual education campaigns on TB treatment and transmission as well as the training of health care workers on stigma and stigmatization are needed to prevent discrimination and protect patient confidentiality.

Automated summary

This qualitative analysis in South Africa reveals the presence of tuberculosis (TB) stigma in communities, which hinders active case finding and delivery of care. Stigma is driven by fear of the disease and the understanding of TB/HIV dual burden, leading to anticipated and internalized stigma. Combating stigma through education campaigns and training of healthcare workers is essential to improve case finding and care.