Patients perceived stigma associated with community-based directly observed therapy of tuberculosis in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether linkage of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS increases the perception of stigma among TB patients on Community-Based Directly Observed Therapy (CB-DOT) compared to similar TB patients on self-administered therapy (SAT).

DESIGN

A Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Kiboga (CB-DOT) and Mubende (SAT) districts, Uganda in 2000.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and five tuberculosis patients on CB-DOT and 202 patients on SAT. One hundred and twenty one (39%) of these patients agreed to be tested for HIV.

RESULTS

Patients on CB-DOT and patients on SAT were similar on most of the domains used to assess stigma associated with a TB diagnosis, except for the domain of TB diagnosis and general belief that TB and HIV/AIDS are linked. Patients on CB-DOT were more likely to believe that neighbours knew they had TB compared to patients on SAT (91% vs. 62%, p < 0.001), but the groups did not differ in their perception that neighbours thought they have HIV because of TB (46% vs. 46%, p = 0.954). HIV prevalence was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates that TB patients on CB-DOT did not differ from SAT patients in their perception of stigma as a result of TB. Therefore, HIV-related stigma may not limit wide implementation of CB-DOT in countries like Uganda.