Knowledge and Perceived Stigma Towards Tuberculosis among Tuberculosis Suspect by Gender in Community in Indonesia

Objective: This study aims to description knowledge and perceived stigma towards tuberculosis among tuberculosis suspect.Background: Knowledge and TB-related stigma constitutes ones of the major social factors causing delayed diagnosis and treatment.Methods: This study is a further analysis of the Indonesia 2013-2014 national TB prevalence survey.Eligible population age ≥15 was interviewed to find TB symptoms and was screened with thorax x-ray for suspects to be tested MTB with microscopy, LJ culture and X-pert MTB/RIF.All positively screened participants also were interviewed about knowledge, attitude and stigma.Descriptive analysis was done using STATA.Results: Total sample: 8.466.The proportion of TB suspect participants reported the way of TB transmission namely black magic, genetic and through food/drink were18%, 47% and 59% respectively and high for males who living in rural and Sumatera.The proportion of the TB suspect participants mention hiding family member who has TB was 13% and high for males living in rural.Only 20% of participants mentioned that TB treatment was free.However, the participant reported they knew TB can be cured was 75%. Conclusion:TB-related stigma was still high among TB suspects especially in rural Indonesia.Interventions concentrating on reducing TB patients' stigma should focus on improving patients' knowledge about TB.