01689nas a2200205   4500000000100000008004100001653001700042653001100059653001000070653001100080653001100091100001500102700001100117700001100128245010200139300000900241490000700250520121200257022001401469       2016                            d10aTuberculosis10aStigma10aIndia10aGender10aBhopal1 aMcArthur E1 aBali S1 aKhan A00aSocio-cultural and knowledge-based barriers to tuberculosis diagnosis for women in Bhopal, India.  a62-40 v413 a<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>In India, only one woman is diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) for every 2.4 men. Previous studies have indicated gender disparities in care-seeking behavior and TB diagnosis; however, little is known about the specific barriers women face.</p>

<p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>This study aimed to characterize socio-cultural and knowledge-based barriers that affected TB diagnosis for women in Bhopal, India.</p>

<p><strong>MATERIALS AND METHODS: </strong>In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 affected women and 6 health-care workers. The Bhopal Diagnostic Microscopy Laboratory Register (n = 121) and the Bhopal district report (n = 261) were examined for diagnostic and care-seeking trends.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Women, especially younger women, faced socio-cultural barriers and stigma, causing many to hide their symptoms. Older women had little awareness about TB. Women often sought treatment from private practitioners, resulting in delayed diagnosis.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Understanding these diagnostic and help-seeking behaviors barriers for women is critical for development of a gender-sensitive TB control program.</p>
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