The overarching aim of this assessment was to analyse the extent to which TB-associated stigma prevents the patients from accessing TB testing services, treatment and prevention services as well as its impact on the process of service delivery. The study also aimed to developing recommendations on eradicating TB-associated stigma in Ukraine.
The assessment is the joint initiative of the CO 100% LIFE, the research organization European Institute of Public Health Policy LLC implemented within the strategic partnership with the state institution Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and CO TB people Ukraine. The assessment was carried out under the financial support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant to Ukraine.
The study has analysed the experiences and views of the five key populations: people with TB, family and close contacts of people with TB disease, community representatives, medical care providers and stakeholders (programme managers coordinating the efforts to fight TB at the global, national and regional level, law experts, politicians etc.
The assessment includes important national data on the scale and level of TB associated stigma which could potentially inform interventions aimed at eradicating unequal access to medical services for TB patients and supporting patient-oriented approaches in prevention, testing for TB and treating the disease.