Summary
Published January 2018.
Using a gender-based approach to assess TB programs helped to identify barriers and risks for men, women and transgender people within TB programs. This in turn will aid service planning and development of interventions considering human rights and gender specifics.
Application of the second tool focused attention on PHR that, in the existing epidemiologic and socio-economic conditions in Ukraine, are at high risk of TB infection and suffer the most from the negative consequences of TB. Thorough analysis involving expert opinion and public consultation allowed formation of an exhaustive list of PHR, intended to be updated annually on national and regional levels. The analysis’ results and recommendations are to ensure that the health system of Ukraine takes into consideration populations vulnerable to TB that are usually underserved in terms of TB care. The tool may also be used by NGOs as a strong advocacy tool.
A specific feature of the study was involvement of a broad range of stakeholders in desktop review and public consultations, and a qualitative element that included two focus group discussions with women and men who had survived TB, as well as in-depth interviews in four regions of Ukraine with 22 experts (medical specialists, representatives of public bodies and civic leaders) and people who had faced the problem of TB (30 patients and their relatives). An opportunity to hear from people who had personally suffered from TB provided important information about their needs in the context of the TB care system.
