In 2021 Kenya had 133,000 TB cases, 20,000 TB deaths and out of those with TB 67% were Men. Isn’t it worrisome that Men are less likely to have their TB detected and reported as compared to Women?
KELIN attended a meeting convened by Respiratory Society of Kenya (RESOK) on the 7th of August 2023 that aimed at appraising stakeholders on the LIGHT project and discuss a gendered approach in accessing TB Care. [TW1] ‘The LIGHT Consortium,’ is a six year cross-disciplinary health research program working in select countries in Africa (Including Kenya) and UK to transform gendered pathways to health for people with TB.
(ReSoK) presented their research plan highlighting that the study in Kenya would focus on boys and young men aged 10 to 24, to identify and make recommendations on the notions of masculinity that negatively impact health seeking behavior in Men, which manifest in late and missed diagnosis and lower rates of TB treatment access and treatment. They provided an opportunity for stakeholders to co-create approaches to TB care Pathways, discuss gaps that the research should look into and identify potential interventions that can promote the gendered approach to reduce TB.
KELIN emphasized the importance of incorporating the Justice system into the research to empower men to self-advocate for their right to health being that they bear the TB burden in Kenya. We will keep an eye out for the outcomes of the research that could advance our efforts in eradicating TB in Kenya.
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For more information, please contact.
Pauline Omoto
Program Associate
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
Kuwinda Lane, Karen C, off Langáta Road
Email: paulineomoto@gmail.com
[TW1]Here, you can indicate the overall objectives of the meeting first. Below, you may want to describe what was discussed in more general terms (and not necessarily focusing on each speaker). Lastly, you may want to mention why this is important to KELIN or what KELIN is doing moving forward. Then sign off as other news items.
