TAI-NDTBC stigma assessment scale to assess stigma among TB patients.

BACKGROUND: The article highlights importance of using a scale for assessing stigma among TB cases on treatment. Van Rie TB scale has been used by many investigators in many countries. There is need to develop our own scale as per practices in India. A scale has been devised by TB Association of India (TAI) and New Delhi TB Centre (NDTBC) for assessing stigma among TB cases, based on the vast experience gained by authors in the field of Tuberculosis control.

METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted in outpatient department of NDTB Centre and LNJP hospital whereby 350 cases were interviewed using a TB stigma scale. A scoring system was developed under three categories. High level of stigma risk was labeled as a score of more than 8, score from 4 to 8 was labeled as Medium risk of stigma and score of less than 4 was labeled as low or no risk of stigma.

RESULTS: 5 % cases had High risk of stigma. 66 % cases had moderate risk of stigma and 29 % cases had no or low risk of stigma. Stigma among working group individuals was 81 % lower when compared with non-working group. Married people suffering from TB had 2.3 times higher chance of experiencing stigma when compared with the unmarried. Males had less chance of experiencing stigma as compared to females. Among pulmonary TB patients, stigma was lower as compared to extra pulmonary TB.

CONCLUSION: The scale can be used routinely and may also be utilized to design targeted stigma reduction interventions.