A disease called stigma: the experience of stigma among African men with TB diagnosis in London.

OBJECTIVES

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly stigmatised disease. This paper sought to explore the experiences and meanings of stigma among African men with a previous TB diagnosis.

STUDY

DESIGN

Qualitative approach with ten men recruited from a community based organisation offering health support to the men.

METHODS

In-depth semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS

Men were unable to recognise TB symptoms and subsequently made late clinical presentation when they were also diagnosed with HIV. A few were diagnosed when in immigration detention centres. The experience of late diagnosis informed their understanding of the word stigma. The link between HIV and TB compounded experiences of stigma which led to depression and compromised HIV confidentiality.

CONCLUSION

TB late diagnosis among the men has implications for population health. Multidisciplinary teams supporting ongoing TB education programmes should include African men's organisations, due to the close supportive links such organisations have with African men.