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Journalists Trained to Enhance TB Reporting and Awareness in Nigeria

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By Bunmi Yekini

A three-day training for journalists on tuberculosis (TB) reporting, organized by the Civil Society for the Eradication of TB and Journalists Against AIDS, was held from September 17th to 19th. The training aimed to empower journalists to raise public awareness on TB and Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT), with support from the Aurum Institute, Treatment Action Group, and UNITAID.

Olayide Akanni, Coordinator of the Civil Society for the Eradication of TB, emphasized the critical role of the media in the fight against TB. “We’ve seen data showing that TB awareness is low, and we believe the media plays a crucial role in raising awareness and informing the public,” she stated. Akanni highlighted that TB reporting should not be limited to World TB Day but should be a continuous effort across media platforms.

Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, the Executive Director at the Media Career Development Network, in his presentation emphasized that the use of mass media is a proven strategy in influencing behavior change, promoting TB awareness, and reducing stigma. He noted that media interventions have helped to generate knowledge about TB, promote awareness of available services for diagnosis and treatment, and support early diagnosis and treatment compliance. Otufodunrin added that TB reporting should extend beyond health stories to mainstream platforms, using diverse storytelling techniques such as interviews, data-driven reports, and human-interest stories.

One of the major highlights of the training was the importance of TB preventive therapy (TPT), especially in preventing the spread of TB among those in contact with infected individuals. Akanni noted, “Health workers don’t have the same wide reach as the media… that’s why we believe partnering with the media can help spread TB information more effectively.”

Akanni also stated that media coverage could help dispel myths and promote shorter treatment regimens now available. “We need the media to emphasize that TB is curable and that people should not seek treatment from unqualified practitioners,” she said, addressing the issue of low adherence due to misinformation. Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin noted  that accurate and fair reporting is vital to maintain public trust, and journalists should use solutions-based journalism to highlight success stories and best practices rather than focusing solely on negative aspects.

During one of the sessions, Dr. Olusola Sokoya from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, highlighted the state’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s national TB cases. “Lagos accounts for about 9% of Nigeria’s national TB burden. In Q2 2024 alone, 5,178 TB cases were notified, yet we missed 65% of the estimated cases in 2023,” Dr. Sokoya revealed. 

The state’s TB case notification system showed a 61% achievement of its 2024 target. He stressed that intensified case-finding efforts are urgently needed in both public and private health facilities to close this gap.

Dr. Sokoya detailed the various interventions being deployed, including the use of 38 GeneXpert machines across 32 sites and mobile vans with AI-enabled chest X-ray systems for active case search in the community. “These systems have helped identify TB cases in areas where access to healthcare is limited, contributing significantly to our case-finding efforts,” he explained.

In another session, the gender dimension of TB was also discussed, focusing on how men and women exhibit different health-seeking behaviors. Akanni pointed out, “Men are less likely to seek medical care and are more likely to stop treatment early. We need targeted efforts to reach men, encourage them to test for TB, and stay on treatment.”

Mrs. Stella Makpu from the National Tuberculosis Program highlighted that adherence to TB treatment is essential for a cure. “TB is treatable, curable, and preventable… stopping treatment early can lead to complications like drug-resistant TB, which is much harder to treat,” she explained.

The training also delved into challenges faced in TB treatment and prevention. Dr. Ogwa Omonigbo Destiny, Medical Advisor at Damien Foundation, elaborated on Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT). He explained, “We offer shorter regimens like 3-HP (weekly for three months) and 1-HP (daily for one month), which has improved compliance significantly.”

He added that active case finding and community outreach remain critical in Lagos and other states. “TB can be fatal if left untreated, and through our community workers, we ensure patients are promptly linked to treatment,” Dr. Ogwa explained.

The training for journalists is part of a broader strategy to strengthen public awareness campaigns on TB and to increase public understanding of TPT. “We encourage journalists to use diverse storytelling techniques, such as human-interest stories, solution-based journalism, and data-driven reports, to keep TB issues prominently in the news,” Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin concluded.

Akanni also added that ”Small grants for investigative journalism on TB. “We will also distribute educational materials at DOTS centers to help people learn more about TB and TPT”. 

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