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The Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on Women’s Health and Wellbeing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A Case Study of Kenya

Author

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  • Elizabeth A. Ochola

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Susan J. Elliott

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Diana M. S. Karanja

    (Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100 Kisumu, Kenya)

Abstract

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) trap individuals in a cycle of poverty through their devastating effects on health, wellbeing and social–economic capabilities that extend to other axes of inequity such as gender and/or ethnicity. Despite NTDs being regarded as equity tracers, little attention has been paid toward gender dynamics and relationships for gender-equitable access to NTD programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper examines the impact of NTDs on women’s health and wellbeing in SSA using Kenya as a case study. This research is part of a larger research program designed to examine the impact of NTDs on the health and wellbeing of populations in Kenya. Thematic analysis of key informants’ interviews ( n = 21) and focus groups ( n = 5) reveals first that NTDs disproportionately affect women and girls due to their assigned gender roles and responsibilities. Second, women face financial and time constraints when accessing health care due to diminished economic power and autonomy. Third, women suffer more from the related social consequences of NTDs (that is, stigma, discrimination and/or abandonment), which affects their health-seeking behavior. As such, we strongly suggest a gender lens when addressing NTD specific exposure, socio-economic inequities, and other gender dynamics that may hinder the successful delivery of NTD programs at the local and national levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth A. Ochola & Susan J. Elliott & Diana M. S. Karanja, 2021. "The Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on Women’s Health and Wellbeing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A Case Study of Kenya," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2180-:d:504308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Person, Bobbie & Bartholomew, L. Kay & Gyapong, Margaret & Addiss, David G. & van den Borne, Bart, 2009. "Health-related stigma among women with lymphatic filariasis from the Dominican Republic and Ghana," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 30-38, January.
    2. Vlassoff, Carol & Weiss, Mitchell & Ovuga, E. B. L. & Eneanya, Christine & Nwel, P. Titi & Babalola, S. Sunday & Awedoba, A. K. & Theophilus, Biri & Cofie, Patience & Shetabi, Pegah, 2000. "Gender and the stigma of onchocercal skin disease in Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(10), pages 1353-1368, May.
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    5. Roxanne A. Springer & Susan J. Elliott, 2019. "“There’s Not Really Much Consideration Given to the Effect of the Climate on NCDs”—Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Health Professionals on a Climate Change-NCD Connection in Barbados," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, December.
    6. Edeltraud J Lenk & William K Redekop & Marianne Luyendijk & Adriana J Rijnsburger & Johan L Severens, 2016. "Productivity Loss Related to Neglected Tropical Diseases Eligible for Preventive Chemotherapy: A Systematic Literature Review," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-19, February.
    7. Elizabeth Opiyo Onyango & Susan J. Elliott, 2020. "Bleeding Bodies, Untrustworthy Bodies: A Social Constructionist Approach to Health and Wellbeing of Young People in Kenya," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-19, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Colin Binns & Mi Kyung Lee & Lyn Wren, 2022. "The Broad Spectrum and Continuing Needs of Women’s Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-3, January.

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