02187nas a2200277 4500000000100000008004100001653001100042653001700053653001700070653002400087653001900111100001700130700001400147700001800161700001800179700001300197700001200210700001500222700001000237245010700247856003200354300001000386490000700396520149200403022001401895 2017 d10aStigma10aTuberculosis10aSouth Africa10aHealth care workers10aDiscrimination1 aSommerland N1 aWouters E1 aMasquillier C1 aEngelbrecht M1 aKigozi G1 aUebel K1 aRensburg J1 aRau A00aStigma as a barrier to the use of occupational health units for tuberculosis services in South Africa. uhttp://tinyurl.com/yd45s52m a75-800 v213 a

SETTING: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death in South Africa, and health care workers (HCWs) are disproportionally affected. The resulting absenteeism strains the already overburdened health system. Although hospital occupational health care units (OHUs) are cost-effective and of crucial importance in tackling the TB epidemic, the fear of being stigmatised by other colleagues might lead HCWs to avoid using OHUs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the perception of TB stigma among colleagues has a negative effect on the willingness to use OHUs for TB services.

DESIGN: In the Free State Province, South Africa, a representative sample of 804 HCWs from six hospitals were surveyed on workplace stigma as a predictor for the use of OHUs for TB services. Applying structural equation modelling, we also controlled for exogenous variables.

RESULTS: There was a significant negative relationship between the perception of stigmatising attitudes and behaviours among co-workers and the use of OHUs for TB screening (β -0.21, P = 0.000), treatment (β -0.16, P = 0.001) and isoniazid preventive therapy (β -0.17, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: The negative effect of TB stigma on OHU use among HCWs can impact upon their health and increase hospital costs. This needs to be addressed by interventions combating TB stigma among HCWs in the workplace.

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