article · International Journal of Science and Research Archive
Tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with approximately 300,000 cases missed in 2023, particularly among vulnerable groups like miners. A cross-sectional survey of 292 participants across mining towns in Gombe State investigated the drivers of tuberculosis stigma using structural equation modelling. The analysis revealed that gender strongly predicts tuberculosis stigma, with male miners experiencing significantly higher levels. In contrast, income and education levels were not significant predictors, demonstrating that stigma cuts across socioeconomic boundaries. A lack of disease knowledge was associated with greater stigma, and fear of contagion emerged as the primary driver. Mitigating these social obstacles will require multi-level strategies incorporating education, policy reforms, and community-level interventions.
Tuberculosis detection gaps allow the disease to spread unchecked, particularly in vulnerable populations such as miners. Demonstrating that stigma is primarily driven by fear of contagion rather than poverty or lack of schooling helps health authorities target the exact misconceptions that prevent individuals from seeking diagnosis, care, and timely treatment.
This research provides early-stage behavioural data that could inform the design of targeted occupational health interventions, corporate wellness programmes, and public health campaigns. The prospective end users include mining firms, non-governmental organisations, and regional health departments. As an observational study, the work is at an early conceptual stage, requiring the development and pilot testing of specific educational and screening tools before practical deployment.
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Tuberculosis is a global public health concern. Despite attempts to detect and cure tuberculosis, around 300,000 cases were missed in Nigeria by 2023. This is primarily among key and vulnerable populations, especially miners. Major factors of this gap include barriers to health care access, inadequate health-seeking behaviour in the community, low socioeconomic situations, and stigma. However, few research has investigated TB-related stigma in Nigeria. Unfortunately, no studies had looked into the causes of TB-related stigma among miners. The current study used structural equation modelling to investigate the association between stigma and tuberculosis among miners in Gombe State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey was conducted using convenience sampling, with 292 respondents recruited from mining towns in Gombe State, Nigeria. Participants were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. A structural equation model was used to investigate the direct and indirect causes of TB-related stigma in mining communities. Chi-square was one of the indicators used to assess the structural equation and multivariate regression among others. A structural equation model found that gender strongly predicts TB stigma (β = -4.99, p = 0.041), with males experiencing higher stigma levels. Education (β = -0.85, p = 0.429) and income (β = -0.54, p = 0.516) were not significant predictors, indicating that stigma exists regardless of socioeconomic position. There was a negative correlation between TB knowledge and stigma (β = -0.42, p < 0.001), with fear of contagion being the largest driver (β = 0.51, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that gender strongly predicts TB stigma, with males experiencing higher stigma levels, although education and income were not predictors. To minimise stigma associated with tuberculosis, a multi-level approach involving education, governmental reforms, and social norms is needed.
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DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2025.15.3.1850
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