Gendered gaps to tuberculosis prevention and care in Kenya: a political economy analysis study.

Abdullahi, Leila H, Oketch, Sandra, Komen, Henry, Mbithi, Irene, Millington, Kerry, Mulupi, Stephen, Chakaya, Jeremiah and Zulu, Eliya M (2024) 'Gendered gaps to tuberculosis prevention and care in Kenya: a political economy analysis study.'. BMJ Open, Vol 14, Issue 4, e077989.

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Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health concern in Kenya despite the massive global efforts towards ending TB. The impediments to TB prevention and care efforts include poor health systems, resource limitations and other sociopolitical contexts that inform policy and implementation. Notably, TB cases are much higher in men than women. Therefore, the political economy analysis (PEA) study provides in-depth contexts and understanding of the gender gaps to access and successful treatment for TB infection. PEA adopts a qualitative, in-depth approach through key informant interviews (KII) and documentary analysis. The KIIs were distributed among government entities, academia, non-state actors and community TB groups from Kenya. The themes identified were mapped onto the applied PEA analysis framework domains. The contextual and institutional issues included gender concerns related to the disconnect between TB policies and gender inclusion aspects, such as low prioritisation for TB programmes, limited use of evidence to inform decisions and poor health system structures. The broad barriers influencing the social contexts for TB programmes were social stigma and cultural norms such as traditional interventions that negatively impact health-seeking behaviours. The themes around the economic situation were poverty and unemployment, food insecurity and malnutrition. The political context centred around the systemic and governance gaps in the health system from the national and devolved health functions. Broad contextual factors identified from the PEA widen the disparity in targeted gender efforts toward men. Following the development of effective TB policies and strategies, it is essential to have well-planned gendered responsive interventions with a clear implementation plan and monitoring system to enhance access to TB prevention and care.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 108 Preventive health services. Preventive medicine. Travel Medicine. WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 200 Tuberculosis (General)
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077989
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2024 13:58
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2024 13:58
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/24411

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