Exploring Gender Research in Tuberculosis
In a breakfast meeting hosted at MERCURE Hotel in Upper Hill today, the Division of National Tuberculosis Leprosy and Lung Disease Program collaborated with the LIGHT Consortium, Respiratory Society of Kenya (ReSoK), and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) to delve into the importance of gender research in Tuberculosis (TB).
Dr. Immaculate Kathure, Head of the TB Program, noted the significance of understanding gender dynamics to formulate impactful interventions for TB care in the country.
According to Dr. Kathure, gender-based stigma can hinder TB prevention and treatment. “Let’s break barriers and create an environment where individuals, regardless of gender, feel empowered to seek and complete TB care burden of fear” she opined.
The National TB Program is actively championing gender-responsive research in TB. A key highlight was the dedication of LIGHT Consortium delving into the burden of TB among young people, with a particular focus on young men between the aged of 15 and 24 years.
The LIGHT research team in Kenya laid the key objectives of the research in Kenya which include TB Care Cascade Analysis, Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies, and Participatory Research and Workshops.
The meeting is an important step towards a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to TB research.
