Qualitative Assessment Of The Social Stigma And Discrimination Faced By Tuberculosis Patients Residing In Ernakulam District, Kerala

• DOI: 10.51601/ijcs.v2i3.127
• Publication Date: 2022-12-20T05:51:28Z
• Authors: Charutha Retnakumar; Leyanna Susan George
• Keywords: Stigma; Social stigma; Thematic Analysis; Social Isolation; Isolation

Tuberculosis is one of the chronic infectious diseases which heavily stigmatized and mostly leads to abandonment, social isolation, condemnation from society. The study aims qualitatively analyze stigma discrimination faced by tuberculosis patients residing in Ernakulam district using grounded theory approach.A qualitative was conducted among purposively selected TB patients, family members medical officers, senior treatment supervisors, Senior lab Health visitors. Qualitative data collected till saturation obtained. audio recorded then translated, transcribed, manually coded. Thematic analysis source triangulation carried out conclusions were made. Self-stigma found be more evident since they feared contempt society, due majority hide their status revelation at workplace led isolation a few patients. However, friendly interaction healthcare workers helped reduce discrimination. Stigma & that persist community, have negative impact on adherence thereby delay elimination.