Enhancing Knowledge and Beliefs: The Impact of a Gender-transformative Training Program on Tuberculosis Care in Southern Nigeria

Background: Gender-related barriers significantly impede care-seeking for tuberculosis (TB), leading to poor treatment outcomes. This study aimed to assess changes in knowledge and beliefs following a training program on gender-transformative TB programming among stakeholders in Southern Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional pretest/posttest design was employed to evaluate the training's effectiveness among participants from September 2023 to March 2024. A 2-day training session was conducted using a standardized training manual. Participants included members of TB civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders. A standardized questionnaire was administered before and after the training. Results: Of the 304 respondents, 160 (52.6%) were aged 40 years or younger, with a mean age of 39.6 (±10.5) years; 184 (60.5%) were female. The mean pretest knowledge score was 7.20 (±1.16), which increased to 8.44 (±1.12) posttraining (t = -15.20; P < 0.001). Similarly, the mean score for the gender responsiveness to the TB programming scale improved from 30.6 (±5.4) pretest to 32.8 (±4.9) posttest (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The training significantly enhanced stakeholders' knowledge of TB and their understanding of gender responsiveness in TB programming. These findings underscore the necessity for ongoing sensitization of TB service providers and the promotion of TB education and stigma reduction efforts to ensure gender-responsive and inclusive TB service delivery. Continuous awareness initiatives are essential to challenge deep-rooted negative sociocultural beliefs and gender norms affecting TB programming.