BACKGROUND: The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India advocating Directly Observed Treatment-Short course (DOTS) detects nearly three times more male than female TB patients. The reasons for this difference are unclear. An understanding of the community's health beliefs, perceptions on the disease and behaviour towards TB patients may throw some light on this issue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative study using focus group discussions was conducted among men and women of younger and older age groups from lower income neighbourhoods. The information obtained was grouped into themes which included, understanding of TB, vulnerability, access to health care and social responses. Gender differences in community perceptions on TB seem to be critical in issues related to marriage. RESULTS: The stigma of TB is more visible in women than men when it comes to marriage. Men and children were perceived to get preferential attention by their families during illness. While the younger age group, irrespective of gender, accessed care from private providers, the older group preferred a government facility. Awareness of TB was acceptable but it seemed more associated as a respiratory disease and the common symptom associated with TB was cough. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for gender specific intervention strategies to enhance better access of TB services.
BACKGROUND: The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India advocating Directly Observed Treatment-Short course (DOTS) detects nearly three times more male than female TBpatients. The reasons for this difference are unclear. An understanding of the community's health beliefs, perceptions on the disease and behaviour towards TBpatients may throw some light on this issue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative study using focus group discussions was conducted among men and women of younger and older age groups from lower income neighbourhoods. The information obtained was grouped into themes which included, understanding of TB, vulnerability, access to health care and social responses. Gender differences in community perceptions on TB seem to be critical in issues related to marriage. RESULTS: The stigma of TB is more visible in women than men when it comes to marriage. Men and children were perceived to get preferential attention by their families during illness. While the younger age group, irrespective of gender, accessed care from private providers, the older group preferred a government facility. Awareness of TB was acceptable but it seemed more associated as a respiratory disease and the common symptom associated with TB was cough. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for gender specific intervention strategies to enhance better access of TB services.
Authors: Lakshmi Krishnan; Tokunbo Akande; Anita V Shankar; Katherine N McIntire; Celine R Gounder; Amita Gupta; Wei-Teng Yang Journal: Tuberc Res Treat Date: 2014-05-11
Authors: Mohammed A Yassin; Daniel G Datiko; Olivia Tulloch; Paulos Markos; Melkamsew Aschalew; Estifanos B Shargie; Mesay H Dangisso; Ryuichi Komatsu; Suvanand Sahu; Lucie Blok; Luis E Cuevas; Sally Theobald Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-05-27 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Lovett Lawson; Mohammed A Yassin; Alex N Onuoha; Andrew Ramsay; Rachel R M Anderson de Cuevas; Sally Theobald; Peter D O Davies; Luis E Cuevas Journal: Tuberc Res Treat Date: 2010-07-20
Authors: Valerie A Paz-Soldán; Rebecca E Alban; Christy D Jones; Richard A Oberhelman Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2013-07-31 Impact factor: 2.655