Korkut, BurcuSevinc, Nergiz2024-09-292024-09-2920222667-663Xhttps://doi.org/10.4328/ACAM.20825https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14619/7635Aim: This study aimed to measure the level of stigmatization using tuberculosis-related stigma (TRS) scale in healthy individuals and in patients with tuberculosis (TB) and to evaluate the factors affecting stigmatization. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study included healthy individuals (aged 18-75 years) admitted to Community Health Centre and patients with TB (aged 18-75 years) admitted to Tuberculosis Control Dispensary in Karabuk City of Turkey between July 2021 and October 2021. A questionnaire consisting of two parts, in which the first part included questions about sociodemographic characteristics and the second part included questions of Tuberculosis-Related Stigma (TRS) scale for the assessment of level of stigmatization, was applied to both healthy individuals and patients with TB using a face-to-face survey technique. Results: The study included 360 healthy individuals (mean age: 45.46 +/- 12.90 years, female 65.3%) and 120 patients with TB (mean age, 41.15 +/- 16.42 years, male 60.8%). The mean total TRS scale score in healthy individuals was 18.60 +/- 4.18; those aged 36-53 years, those who were employed, and those living in the village had significantly higher TRS scale scores (p<0.05 for all). The mean total TRS scale score in TB patients was 19.72 +/- 3.20; those aged 18-35 years, single patients, those employed, and those with high- income level had significantly higher TRS scale scores (p<0.05 for all). Discussion: The current study revealed that the level of stigma was higher in patients with TB. Additionally, it was thought that preventing stigma in TB patients would positively affect the treatment process.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessStigmaTuberculosisSurveyArticle10.4328/ACAM.2082551113WOS:000729260900001N/A