Community stigma towards tuberculosis: Measuring associated factors in the district of Cartagena, Colombia.
1
Universidad de Cartagena, Facultad de Enfermería, Cartagena, Colombia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A649
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The social stigma surrounding tuberculosis is a problem associated with reduced opportunities for seeking early care, negatively impacting control programs by limiting the identification of new cases and treatment adherence, thus increasing the burden of the disease on healthcare systems.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the factors associated with community stigma surrounding tuberculosis in adults in the district of Cartagena, Colombia.
METHODS:
This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 2,058 adults selected through multistage random sampling from neighborhoods and localities within the district of Cartagena. Participants were contacted in their homes through home visits. Sociodemographic variables and stigma levels were measured. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the data, performing bivariate and multivariate analyses. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.
RESULTS:
Among the 2058 adults, the average age was 46.4 years (SD = 17.5 years). 56.0% (1152) were women, 83.0% (1708) were from urban areas, and 67.9% (1398) had subsidized health insurance. 26.8% (551) did not know what tuberculosis was, 57.7% (869) were afraid of tuberculosis, and 22.5% (339) would be ashamed to have it. 18.1% (273) presented high stigma, 23.6% (355) medium stigma, and 58.3% (879) low stigma. Being over 45 years of age increases the probability of presenting high stigma (OR = 1.396 (95% CI: 1.135–1.716)). Likewise, self-identifying as belonging to an ethnic group is related to a higher level of stigma toward the disease (OR = 1.41 (95% CI: 1.014–1.987)). Conversely, a higher level of education is associated with a lower probability of presenting high stigma toward tuberculosis (OR = 0.708 (95% CI: 0.573–0.875)).
CONCLUSIONS:
Age, education level, and ethnicity are personal factors that can explain the stigma surrounding tuberculosis in the community and, therefore, impact disease control. Strengthen educational programs on tuberculosis prevention, care, and treatment in vulnerable community settings.
The social stigma surrounding tuberculosis is a problem associated with reduced opportunities for seeking early care, negatively impacting control programs by limiting the identification of new cases and treatment adherence, thus increasing the burden of the disease on healthcare systems.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the factors associated with community stigma surrounding tuberculosis in adults in the district of Cartagena, Colombia.
METHODS:
This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 2,058 adults selected through multistage random sampling from neighborhoods and localities within the district of Cartagena. Participants were contacted in their homes through home visits. Sociodemographic variables and stigma levels were measured. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the data, performing bivariate and multivariate analyses. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.
RESULTS:
Among the 2058 adults, the average age was 46.4 years (SD = 17.5 years). 56.0% (1152) were women, 83.0% (1708) were from urban areas, and 67.9% (1398) had subsidized health insurance. 26.8% (551) did not know what tuberculosis was, 57.7% (869) were afraid of tuberculosis, and 22.5% (339) would be ashamed to have it. 18.1% (273) presented high stigma, 23.6% (355) medium stigma, and 58.3% (879) low stigma. Being over 45 years of age increases the probability of presenting high stigma (OR = 1.396 (95% CI: 1.135–1.716)). Likewise, self-identifying as belonging to an ethnic group is related to a higher level of stigma toward the disease (OR = 1.41 (95% CI: 1.014–1.987)). Conversely, a higher level of education is associated with a lower probability of presenting high stigma toward tuberculosis (OR = 0.708 (95% CI: 0.573–0.875)).
CONCLUSIONS:
Age, education level, and ethnicity are personal factors that can explain the stigma surrounding tuberculosis in the community and, therefore, impact disease control. Strengthen educational programs on tuberculosis prevention, care, and treatment in vulnerable community settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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