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Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in Tanzania: Level, Experience and Manifestations

Received: 3 January 2023     Accepted: 25 January 2023     Published: 21 February 2023
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Abstract

Background: TB-related stigma among healthcare workers (HCWs) can negatively impact on health-seeking behavior, treatment adherence, TB treatment completion, and the overall quality of TB services. Yet, the dimensions, experiences, and manifestations of TB-related stigma among HCWs are largely unknown in our region, particularly in the context of Tanzania. This knowledge gap prompted the researchers to design the current study. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect data on TB-related stigma among HCWs who provide TB services in 20 selected health facilities in 5 regions (provinces) of Tanzania. Data analysis was performed using quantitative descriptive and thematic analysis methods. The results have been presented as frequency tables with respective percentages, figures, and quotes. Results: Seventy-nine (79) HCWs were recruited. The overall level of perceived TB-related stigma among HCWs was 52.57%, predominated by negative attitudes and stigmatizing behaviors towards TB patients. About one-fifth (21.52%) of the HCWs were stigmatized because their work involved interacting with TB-infected people. The common manifestations of TB-related stigma among HCWs were isolation, avoidance, and underappreciation both at the workplace and in the community. Such actions were mostly driven by fear of contracting TB. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that HCWs do not only have to contend with a high level of perceived TB-related stigma but are also stigmatized because of attending to TB patients. This stigma threatens to undermine the non-discriminatory access and quality of TB services. Therefore, there is an urgent call for reciprocal attention aimed to reduce TB-related stigma in healthcare settings to improve, ultimately, TB control in Tanzania.

Published in American Journal of Health Research (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14
Page(s) 23-30
Creative Commons

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, Healthcare Workers, Health Facilities, Tanzania

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Wilbard Deogratias Muhandiki, Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba, Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega, Riziki Michael Kisonga, Emmanuel Heriel Matechi, et al. (2023). Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in Tanzania: Level, Experience and Manifestations. American Journal of Health Research, 11(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14

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    ACS Style

    Wilbard Deogratias Muhandiki; Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba; Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega; Riziki Michael Kisonga; Emmanuel Heriel Matechi, et al. Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in Tanzania: Level, Experience and Manifestations. Am. J. Health Res. 2023, 11(1), 23-30. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14

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    AMA Style

    Wilbard Deogratias Muhandiki, Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba, Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega, Riziki Michael Kisonga, Emmanuel Heriel Matechi, et al. Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in Tanzania: Level, Experience and Manifestations. Am J Health Res. 2023;11(1):23-30. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14,
      author = {Wilbard Deogratias Muhandiki and Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba and Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega and Riziki Michael Kisonga and Emmanuel Heriel Matechi and Hamimu Omary Kigumi and Gerald Phares Mwing’a and Onay Godson Lwanzali and Joseph Nyamuhuri Musuguri and Oscar Leonard Kaswaga and Eliakimu Paul Kapyolo},
      title = {Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in Tanzania: Level, Experience and Manifestations},
      journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
      volume = {11},
      number = {1},
      pages = {23-30},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20231101.14},
      abstract = {Background: TB-related stigma among healthcare workers (HCWs) can negatively impact on health-seeking behavior, treatment adherence, TB treatment completion, and the overall quality of TB services. Yet, the dimensions, experiences, and manifestations of TB-related stigma among HCWs are largely unknown in our region, particularly in the context of Tanzania. This knowledge gap prompted the researchers to design the current study. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect data on TB-related stigma among HCWs who provide TB services in 20 selected health facilities in 5 regions (provinces) of Tanzania. Data analysis was performed using quantitative descriptive and thematic analysis methods. The results have been presented as frequency tables with respective percentages, figures, and quotes. Results: Seventy-nine (79) HCWs were recruited. The overall level of perceived TB-related stigma among HCWs was 52.57%, predominated by negative attitudes and stigmatizing behaviors towards TB patients. About one-fifth (21.52%) of the HCWs were stigmatized because their work involved interacting with TB-infected people. The common manifestations of TB-related stigma among HCWs were isolation, avoidance, and underappreciation both at the workplace and in the community. Such actions were mostly driven by fear of contracting TB. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that HCWs do not only have to contend with a high level of perceived TB-related stigma but are also stigmatized because of attending to TB patients. This stigma threatens to undermine the non-discriminatory access and quality of TB services. Therefore, there is an urgent call for reciprocal attention aimed to reduce TB-related stigma in healthcare settings to improve, ultimately, TB control in Tanzania.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in Tanzania: Level, Experience and Manifestations
    AU  - Wilbard Deogratias Muhandiki
    AU  - Lucas Eliaimringi Matemba
    AU  - Ndakibae Gabriel Mabega
    AU  - Riziki Michael Kisonga
    AU  - Emmanuel Heriel Matechi
    AU  - Hamimu Omary Kigumi
    AU  - Gerald Phares Mwing’a
    AU  - Onay Godson Lwanzali
    AU  - Joseph Nyamuhuri Musuguri
    AU  - Oscar Leonard Kaswaga
    AU  - Eliakimu Paul Kapyolo
    Y1  - 2023/02/21
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14
    T2  - American Journal of Health Research
    JF  - American Journal of Health Research
    JO  - American Journal of Health Research
    SP  - 23
    EP  - 30
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8796
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20231101.14
    AB  - Background: TB-related stigma among healthcare workers (HCWs) can negatively impact on health-seeking behavior, treatment adherence, TB treatment completion, and the overall quality of TB services. Yet, the dimensions, experiences, and manifestations of TB-related stigma among HCWs are largely unknown in our region, particularly in the context of Tanzania. This knowledge gap prompted the researchers to design the current study. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect data on TB-related stigma among HCWs who provide TB services in 20 selected health facilities in 5 regions (provinces) of Tanzania. Data analysis was performed using quantitative descriptive and thematic analysis methods. The results have been presented as frequency tables with respective percentages, figures, and quotes. Results: Seventy-nine (79) HCWs were recruited. The overall level of perceived TB-related stigma among HCWs was 52.57%, predominated by negative attitudes and stigmatizing behaviors towards TB patients. About one-fifth (21.52%) of the HCWs were stigmatized because their work involved interacting with TB-infected people. The common manifestations of TB-related stigma among HCWs were isolation, avoidance, and underappreciation both at the workplace and in the community. Such actions were mostly driven by fear of contracting TB. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that HCWs do not only have to contend with a high level of perceived TB-related stigma but are also stigmatized because of attending to TB patients. This stigma threatens to undermine the non-discriminatory access and quality of TB services. Therefore, there is an urgent call for reciprocal attention aimed to reduce TB-related stigma in healthcare settings to improve, ultimately, TB control in Tanzania.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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

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

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

  • Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, 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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