Understanding Patient Experiences: A Mixed-Methods Study on Barriers and Facilitators to TB Care-Seeking in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health concern, and people at risk for TB are hesitant to seek care. The first South African National TB prevalence survey, conducted in 2017-2019, found that most participants with TB symptoms did not seek care for TB. In 2022, an estimated 23% of people with TB in South Africa were undiagnosed, contributing to the country's burden of "missing" TB cases. This study explores health-seeking behaviour among people with TB (PwTB) in South Africa, focussing on barriers and facilitators to care-seeking and the quantification of TB-related stigma from a patient and community perspective.

Methods

We conducted a mixed-method study in the City of Johannesburg (COJ) Metropolitan Municipality from February to March 2022. PwTB aged 18 and

SUBMITTER: Sathar F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12567892 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature