Gender-related factors affecting access to TB services and treatment outcomes in the Philippines

SETTING: The Philippines is one of the countries with the highest TB burdens. While TB affects men and women differently, studies also show that gender affects people’s experience of and access to healthcare. Men and women have usually assigned roles and responsibilities that affect their decisions and health-seeking behaviour. OBJECTIVE: The gender analysis aimed to examine the relationship between gender and access to TB services and treatment outcomes according to five domains: cultural norms and beliefs; patterns of power and decision-making; gender roles and responsibilities; access to resources; laws and policies. DESIGN: The team conducted 19 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions with project staff, TB coordinators from healthcare facilities, representatives from the private and informal business sector and representatives from the Philippine Department of Health from August to November 2019. RESULTS: Study findings indicated that men faced greater limitations than women in terms of accessing TB resources and services, which highlight the differences between genders in relation to health-seeking behaviours and ability to access healthcare. CONCLUSION: This demonstrates the importance of integrating a gender lens into the service provision set up, from screening to treating and monitoring, to ensure equitable health benefits for men, women, transgender and gender-diverse persons.