Stigma and infectious diseases in Africa: examining impact and strategies for reduction

Omosigho, Pius Omoruyi; John, Okesanya Olalekan; Musa, Mohamed Babiker; Aboelhassan, Youssry Mohamed Elsawy Ibrahim; Olabode, Olaleke Noah; Bouaddi, Oumnia; Mengesha, Dawit Tesfagiorgis; Micheal, Abioye Sunday; Modber, Mohamed Abdul Kareem Adam; Sow, Alhaji Umar; Kheir, Sara Gabrallah M.; Shomuyiwa, Deborah Oluwaseun; Adebimpe, Oso Tolutope; Manirambona, Emery; Lucero-Prisno, Don Eliseo

doi:10.1097/ms9.0000000000001470

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 37 publications

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“…This explains why some of the respondents in our study who experienced stigma due to their hearing deficit felt the strain and pain of poor communication in their relationships, which needs to be addressed to restore and improve empathy and acceptance of changes by family and community members when communicating with patients with HL. Moreover, negative attitudes, misinformation, and institutional practices have been identified as drivers of stigma in Africa ( 26 ). This raises the need for a public health framework that includes a more robust information and education plan to guide: (1) the prevention and timely treatment of LF in all communities in the country; (2) community sensitization and awareness building that addresses stigma and provides opportunities to learn sign language to facilitate communication and reduce the isolation of patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Double stigma: a cross-sectional study of Lassa patients with hearing loss in North Central Nigeria

Best,

Ameh,

Weldon

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionLassa fever is a zoonotic infectious disease endemic in West Africa with a high case-fatality rate and reported stigmatization of surviving patients. This study examines discrimination among survivors of Lassa fever (LF) complicated by hearing loss (HL).MethodsThis cross-sectional qualitative study used an in-depth interview guide to collect information from patients with HL about their experience of stigma. Interviews were conducted by a trained team of interviewers at the Jos University Teaching Hospital between January and April 2022 in Hausa language after informed consent was obtained. Recordings of the interviews were transcribed and translated from Hausa to English. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo software using a thematic framework approach.ResultsMost (73%) respondents were male (n = 11); 27% were female (n = 4). The median age was 35 years (interquartile range, 16.5). Some Lassa fever patients experienced stigma and discrimination (53%) including isolation and withdrawal of family and community support during and after illness. HL increased stigma, as some patients were labeled “deaf” by other community members, increasing perceived stigma and devaluation. HL affected the socio-economic wellbeing of some who could not communicate well with their families and customers and constrained social interactions, evoking pain and apathy. Some survivors of LF and victims of its sequelae of HL experienced double stigmatization. While they were ill with LF, a third of respondents reported avoidance and isolation by family and community members who withdrew care and support both to them and their close family members. These forms of stigmatization strained their relationships.ConclusionThere is a need to address stigma in LF survivors who develop HL through concerted community-owned awareness to improve their quality of life along with a robust social support system to aid prevention.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Double stigma: a cross-sectional study of Lassa patients with hearing loss in North Central Nigeria

Best,

Ameh,

Weldon

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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Syndemic Challenges: Addressing the Resurgence of Mpox Amidst Concurrent Outbreaks in the DRC

Adigun,

Okesanya,

Ahmed

et al. 2024

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a syndemic of infectious diseases, including monkeypox (mpox), cholera, measles, anthrax, and plague, worsening public health challenges and socioeconomic disparities. This review synthesizes and discusses epidemiological data and consequences of simultaneous outbreaks in the DRC between January 2023 and March 2024. The findings highlight a 6.7% fatality rate and 3319 confirmed cases of mpox, with significant outbreaks in Kinshasa and 22 other provinces. Anthrax occasionally surfaced among cattle‐raising villages, measles affected fewer than five children susceptible to the disease, and cholera outbreaks persisted in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika. Plague incidences, mostly bubonic, have been reported in Ituri province. Vulnerable groups, including children, mothers, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, face increased risks due to poor healthcare access, hunger, and underlying medical conditions. Cultural beliefs, healthcare system issues, and socioeconomic instability impede effective response tactics. This strain on the fragile healthcare system highlights the need for increased surveillance, immunization efforts, and community involvement. To mitigate the effects of syndemic outbreaks, strengthening the DRC’s health systems through international cooperation, integrated public health initiatives, and improved access to healthcare is crucial.

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Uptake and Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Their Male Partners in Sub-Saharan Africa: Benefits, Challenges, and Delivery Strategies

Adepoju,

Udah,

Adnani

et al. 2024

HIV

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Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers a novel solution for increasing HIV testing among pregnant and postpartum women and their male partners, especially in low-resource settings. These groups often face barriers such as stigma, fear, and limited access to traditional HIV-testing services. Methods We reviewed qualitative and quantitative studies focusing on HIVST implementation in both public and private healthcare settings among pregnant and postpartum women and male partners in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), analyzed uptake, male involvement, and barriers. Articles from Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar were included to examine public and private settings, distribution models, and psychosocial support. Results HIVST showed substantial success in increasing the testing rates. For example, maternal retesting during pregnancy has increased by 35% in Kenya due to the adoption of HIVST. The secondary distribution also drove male partner testing, with 90.8% of male partners accepting HIVST kits from their pregnant partners in South Africa and 75.4% participating in couple testing. Combining HIVST with clinical invitations increased both female and male testing 12-fold in other studies. Despite these successes, challenges persisted, with approximately 30% of women testing HIV-positive not returning to follow-up care. In addition, a few women reported adverse partner reactions, including intimate partner violence (IPV), after delivering HIVST kits. Conclusion HIVST presents a critical opportunity to close gaps in HIV prevention between pregnant women and their male partners. Addressing barriers, such as stigma and enhancing male partner involvement, provides a pathway for more equitable testing practices. Scaling up successful community-based and secondary distribution models, alongside addressing challenges such as follow-up care and IPV concerns, is essential for reducing HIV transmission in SSA.

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Stigma and infectious diseases in Africa: examining impact and strategies for reduction

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Double stigma: a cross-sectional study of Lassa patients with hearing loss in North Central Nigeria

Double stigma: a cross-sectional study of Lassa patients with hearing loss in North Central Nigeria

Syndemic Challenges: Addressing the Resurgence of Mpox Amidst Concurrent Outbreaks in the DRC

Uptake and Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Their Male Partners in Sub-Saharan Africa: Benefits, Challenges, and Delivery Strategies

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