Stigma associated with TB and moxa use
Amongst the many challenges involved in the diagnosis and treatment of TB is the issue of stigma attached to this disease. Stigma can be described as a social determinant of health, whereby a particular trait or characteristic (in this case being infected by TB) is seen as being undesirable or disvalued. Affected individuals may feel shame, disgust or guilt, and this can lead to their adopting behaviours that interfere with the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Stigma