Gender differences in disclosure among tuberculosis (TB) and human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) patients reporting in some health facilities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana

Abstract

The study explored the gender differences that exist in patterns and effects of disclosure among TB only and TB co-infected with HIV patients receiving TB treatment in some selected health facilities in the Greater Accra region and how these disclosure patterns for men and women affect the support they receive from family and friends as they circumvent the treatment processes.  The study design was cross-sectional and qualitative using deductive reasoning design and conducted in six health facilities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. A total of 30 participants were involved in the study. They were made up of 12 TB only participants, 12 co-infected TB/HIV patients, and 6 TB coordinators. Face-to-face interviews were used to elicit responses from participants and results recorded, using a digital recorder, after which verbatim transcription was done, and contents analysis used in analyzing the data. The study found that revealing one’s TB and/or HIV status was problematic for   married women.  The men were more comfortable disclosing their status to their partners, whilst the women felt more comfortable disclosing their status to other family members other than their partners. In terms of support, some men indicated that their partners abandoned them when they lost their source of income because of their health conditions, making it difficult to manage their conditions. The women, however, received support from their external family members. The study has implications for public health since non-disclosure could lead to further spread among close family and friends because both HIV and TB are contagious diseases.