AN ASSESSMENT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS, INCLUDING GENDER, CONTRIBUTING TO DIAGNOSTIC DELAY AND TREATMENT NON-ADHERENCE AMONG TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
The Kyrgyz Republic is one of the 30 countries with a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Circumstances outside of the health system, such as socioeconomic and cultural factors, contribute to care-seeking delays and adherence issues that can lead to the development of MDR-TB. This study aimed to explore how socioeconomic and cultural factors, including gender norms and stereotypes, stigma and discrimination, affect the behavior of TB patients, their families, and their communities.