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Socio-economic factors associated with cancer stigma among apparently healthy women in two selected municipalities Nepal

Author

Listed:
  • Bandana Paneru
  • Aerona Karmacharya
  • Soniya Makaju
  • Diksha Kafle
  • Lisasha Poudel
  • Sushmita Mali
  • Priyanka Timsina
  • Namuna Shrestha
  • Dinesh Timalsena
  • Kalpana Chaudhary
  • Niroj Bhandari
  • Prasanna Rai
  • Sunila Shakya
  • Donna Spiegelman
  • Sangini S Sheth
  • Anne Stangl
  • McKenna C Eastment
  • Archana Shrestha

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is the primary cause of death globally, and despite the significant advancements in treatment and survival rates, it is still stigmatized in many parts of the world. However, there is limited public health research on cancer stigma among the general female population in Nepal. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of cancer stigma and its associated factors in this group. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 426 healthy women aged 30 to 60 years who were residents of Dhulikhel and Banepa in central Nepal. We measured cancer stigma using the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS). CASS measures cancer stigma in six domains (awkwardness, avoidance, severity, personal responsibility, policy opposition, financial discrimination) on a 6-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to agree strongly) with higher mean stigma scores correlating with higher levels of stigma. We utilized Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) with multivariable linear regression to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with the CASS score. Results: Overall, the level of cancer stigma was low, with a mean stigma score of 2.6 (0.6), but it was still present among participants. Stigma related to personal responsibility had the highest levels, with a mean score of 3.9 (1.3), followed by severity with a mean score of 3.2 (1.3), and financial discrimination with a mean score of 2.9 (1.6). There was a significant association between the mean CASS score and older age (mean difference in stigma score: 0.11 points; 95% CI: 0.02–0.20) as well as lower education (difference: -0.02 points; 95% CI: -0.03 to -0.003), after adjusting for age, ethnicity, education, marital status, religion, occupation, and parity. Conclusion: While overall cancer stigma was low, some domains of stigma were higher among women in a suburban area in central Nepal; thus, indicating that cancer stigma persists in this region despite its low overall prevalence.

Suggested Citation

  • Bandana Paneru & Aerona Karmacharya & Soniya Makaju & Diksha Kafle & Lisasha Poudel & Sushmita Mali & Priyanka Timsina & Namuna Shrestha & Dinesh Timalsena & Kalpana Chaudhary & Niroj Bhandari & Prasa, 2024. "Socio-economic factors associated with cancer stigma among apparently healthy women in two selected municipalities Nepal," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0301059
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301059
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hatzenbuehler, M.L. & Phelan, J.C. & Link, B.G., 2013. "Stigma as a fundamental cause of population health inequalities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(5), pages 813-821.
    2. Bandana Paneru & Aerona Karmacharya & Alina Bharati & Soniya Makaju & Bikram Adhikari & Dikshya Kafle & Sunila Shakya & Donna Spiegelman & Sangini Seth & Anne Stangl & Aamod Dhoj Shrestha & Archana Sh, 2023. "Association between cancer stigma and cervical cancer screening uptake among women of Dhulikhel and Banepa, Nepal," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, May.
    3. Hatzenbuehler, Mark L. & Bellatorre, Anna & Lee, Yeonjin & Finch, Brian K. & Muennig, Peter & Fiscella, Kevin, 2014. "Structural stigma and all-cause mortality in sexual minority populations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 33-41.
    4. Tsutsumi, Atsuro & Izutsu, Takashi & Md Islam, Akramul & Maksuda, A.N. & Kato, Hiroshi & Wakai, Susumu, 2007. "The quality of life, mental health, and perceived stigma of leprosy patients in Bangladesh," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(12), pages 2443-2453, June.
    5. Peters-Golden, Holly, 1982. "Breast cancer: Varied perceptions of social support in the illness experience," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 483-491, January.
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