RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Building bridges: multidisciplinary teams in tuberculosis prevention and care
JF Breathe
JO Breathe
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 230092
DO 10.1183/20734735.0092-2023
VO 19
IS 3
A1 João Pedro Ramos
A1 Mariana Vieira
A1 Cátia Pimentel
A1 Mariana Argel
A1 Pedro Barbosa
A1 Raquel Duarte
YR 2023
UL http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/19/3/230092.abstract
AB People with or affected by tuberculosis (TB) experience complex social and cultural constraints that may affect treatment outcomes by impeding access to proper care or by hindering treatment adherence. Low levels of health literacy which leads to inadequate disease information; stigma, discrimination and other forms of prejudice that may result in marginalisation and ostracisation; and socioeconomic vulnerabilities that hamper one's capacity to access essential goods or increase the risk of exposure to the disease are some of the barriers highlighted. These complex hurdles are also disproportionately felt by people with or affected by TB due to gender-related inequalities that need to be properly addressed. Additionally, TB prevention and care should encompass interventions aimed at improving and promoting mental health, given that mental unhealth may further thwart treatment adherence and success. A multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach to TB is required to answer these complex barriers.To effectively address the complex sociocultural and financial barriers to TB diagnosis and treatment multifaceted interventions that consider personal factors, like health literacy, and societal dimensions, like stigma and discrimination, are necessary. https://bit.ly/3Ct6tMw