Asocial behavior of women with tuberculosis

This study included 101 women with chronic cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis. We analyzed their behaviorial stereotype using MMPI and specially developed own questionnaires. These women live in poor conditions, experience financial difficulties, social isolation, and physical and verbal abuse by their husbands and other family members. They experience various negative emotions. Their difficult social situation often creates a desire to avenge. They can deliberately infect family members who are violent against them. They can also infect other people unintentionally by hiding their disease fearing social isolation and ignoring personal hygiene. This asocial behavior is particularly dangerous because 52% of women miss doses of antituberculosis drugs and 30% of them reduce their doses without consultation with a doctor, which leads to the development of drug resistance.