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

Background: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.