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[This article belongs to Volume - 70, Issue - 10]
Published on : 2025-10-12 19:59:38
Article Code: AMJ-12-10-2025-12346
Title : Exploring Community Perceptions of Tuberculosis in High-Endemic Settings: A Qualitative Study from Northern Sabah
Author(s) : Nadia El-Masri, Samira Haddad
Abstract :
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern globally. A wider conceptual comprehension of people’s
health beliefs and concerns about TB can contribute to achieving the aimed reduction in disease burden, through
informed interventions tailored according to the local context. This study explores the notion of TB among
community members in high TB endemic localities in Northern Sabah, Malaysia. Grounded-theory study design was
utilized to gather data from 42 individuals through in-depth interviews using semi-structured questions, selected
purposively by age. Individual interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. The data was
analysed using thematic analysis. A majority of the respondents had heard of TB, but did not know what TB is. Most
participants agreed that TB is a serious disease that could be fatal, and are worried about getting TB, but showed
apprehension about the risk of getting the disease. Their knowledge and risk perception towards TB may affect their
response to seeking diagnosis through disease screening. This study revealed persistent misconceptions about TB,
which could potentially impact people’s willingness to undergo disease screening and seek appropriate treatment.
Promoting health education about TB through a tailored approach according to the local context is crucial.