Stigma, low levels of awareness derail TB fight in Kenya

Kenya has made great strides in combating Tuberculosis over the years. However, stigma and lack of awareness at the community level have negatively impacted the fight against the disease.

A panel discussion on Daybreak brought experts who delved into the problems encountered in combating TB.

Evaline Kibuchi, the Chief National Coordinator of Stop TB Kenya attributed this to low levels of awareness of TB in Kenya.

“The first problem is low levels of awareness. When you don't know that there is such a disease, you don't know the signs and symptoms. You don't know where to seek treatment, you don't know you need treatment for six months. Our common practice is to go over the counter, we self-medicate,” she said.

She said that in each sector, like schools and public transport, there should be efforts made to ensure TB is addressed.

Concurring with Kibuchi was Dr. Immaculate Kathure, the Ag. Head- Divison Tuberculosis & Lung Health at the Ministry of Health, who stated the stigma within the community prevents people from visiting healthcare facilities to seek treatment.

“Because of stigma within the community, a lot of people with TB are not quick to present themselves to a health facility and get diagnosed,” she stated.

Kathure stated that TB spreads faster when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, sings or laughs in overcrowded places without proper ventilation.

“TB is a bacterial infection that is spread from one person to another through aerosol droplets, that is through the air,” she mentioned.

“Just to dispel some myths, it's not spread through shaking hands, or by sharing cups and spoons. However, it is spread faster in enclosed spaces, and overcrowded spaces without adequate ventilation.”

She stated that Kenya notified over 90,000 cases of TB in Kenya in one year of which 10,000 were children below the age of 15 years in 2022.

Kenya is ranked among the 30 high-burden countries and these countries contribute to 80% of TB cases worldwide.

Dr. Kathure commented that a lot of community outreach has been undertaken by the Ministry of Health to fight TB spread through media, community barazas, and overall public education.

Kibuchi added that there has been progress in the diagnosis of TB where there have been new technologies developed over the years that are efficient and accessible.

World TB Day is marked annually on March 24th. This year's theme was centered around ‘Yes we can end TB’.