Editing Tuberculosis (section)

=== Stigma ===

Slow progress in preventing the disease may in part be due to [[social stigma|stigma]] associated with TB.<ref name="Kielstra-2014"/> Stigma may be due to the fear of transmission from affected individuals. This stigma may additionally arise due to links between TB and poverty, and in [[AIDS in Africa|Africa, AIDS]].<ref name="Kielstra-2014"/> Such stigmatization may be both real and perceived; for example, in Ghana, individuals with TB are banned from attending public gatherings.<ref name="Courtwright-2010">{{cite journal | vauthors = Courtwright A, Turner AN | title = Tuberculosis and stigmatization: pathways and interventions | journal = Public Health Reports | volume = 125 | issue = 4_suppl | pages = 34–42 | date = Jul–Aug 2010 | pmid = 20626191 | pmc = 2882973 | doi = 10.1177/00333549101250S407 }}</ref>

Stigma towards TB may result in delays in seeking treatment,<ref name="Kielstra-2014"/> lower treatment compliance, and family members keeping cause of death secret<ref name="Courtwright-2010"/> – allowing the disease to spread further.<ref name="Kielstra-2014"/> In contrast, in Russia stigma was associated with increased treatment compliance.<ref name="Courtwright-2010"/> TB stigma also affects socially marginalized individuals to a greater degree and varies between regions.<ref name="Courtwright-2010"/>

One way to decrease stigma may be through the promotion of "TB clubs", where those infected may share experiences and offer support, or through counseling.<ref name="Courtwright-2010"/> Some studies have shown TB education programs to be effective in decreasing stigma, and may thus be effective in increasing treatment adherence.<ref name="Courtwright-2010"/> Despite this, studies on the relationship between reduced stigma and mortality are lacking {{as of|2010|lc=yes}}, and similar efforts to decrease stigma surrounding AIDS have been minimally effective.<ref name="Courtwright-2010"/> Some have claimed the stigma to be worse than the disease, and healthcare providers may unintentionally reinforce stigma, as those with TB are often perceived as difficult or otherwise undesirable.<ref name="Kielstra-2014"/> A greater understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of tuberculosis may also help with stigma reduction.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mason PH, Roy A, Spillane J, Singh P | title = Social, Historical and Cultural Dimensions of Tuberculosis | journal = Journal of Biosocial Science | volume = 48 | issue = 2 | pages = 206–32 | date = March 2016 | pmid = 25997539 | doi = 10.1017/S0021932015000115 | doi-access = free }}</ref>