Stigma experienced by people with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Lagos, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Tuberculosis (TB) stigma is one of the factors responsible for low notification rates in Nigeria, especially among people with drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). This study assessed the factors associated with stigma among people with DR-TB in Lagos, Nigeria.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 adults on DR-TB treatment. The Redwood DR-TB stigma scale was used to assess the stigma experienced by people with DR-TB. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the factors associated with TB stigma.

The prevalence of TB stigma was 65.5%. Being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.59 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.03 to 6.50], p=0.042), not earning an income (aOR 2.57 [95% CI 1.84 to 7.85], p=0.039), substance use (alcohol or cigarette smoking; aOR 1.61 [95% CI 1.06 to 3.88], p=0.028) and the duration of the DR-TB diagnosis (aOR 2.72 [95% CI 1.94 to 3.83], p<0.001) were associated with stigma among people with DR-TB. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative participants experienced TB stigma 2.4 times more (crude OR 2.4 [95% CI 1.14 to 5.04], p=0.021) than HIV-positive participants, although the relationship was not sustained in the multivariate analysis.

Having identified the factors associated with stigma in this target population, it is imperative to address and control them among DR-TB patients in Lagos, Nigeria. The urgent need for stigma reduction strategies cannot be overemphasized.