Breaking the Barriers

Breaking the Barriers (BTB)is a four-year (2020-2024) community engagement initiative that is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  It works in alignment with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017 – 2025 of the Government of India for reducing morbidity due to TB.
The project is operational in four high burden districts in Telangana. It works among different vulnerable population groups in each district such as industrial workers in Sangareddy, vulnerable urban groups in Hyderabad and Warangal and tribal groups in Mahabubabad.

Objectives

  • Develop and scale up operational models of effective behaviour change among vulnerable populations
  • Encourage case notification
  • Improve treatment outcomes for persons with Drug-Sensitive TB and Drug- resistant TB

Approach

BTB adopts a patient-centered approach and engages with the communities across all stages of the project. Recognizing that each vulnerable population has its unique and specific needs, BTB conducts action research for identifying and prioritizing them. It then designs appropriate behaviour change matrices and community engagement strategies that address the unique needs of the communities which emerge from the research.

Activities

  • AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
  • Patient-centred outreach for motivating them to adopt behavior change actions.
  • Building linkages of TB patients with quality services.
  • AT THE INTERPERSONAL LEVEL
  • Joint sessions for TB patients and members of the caregiver community with an aim to empower the TB patients and encourage them to adopt behavior change actions.
  • Building linkages of the TB patients with social protection services.
  • AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL
  • Building/ strengthening the existing formal, informal and traditional community structures such as Nyaya Panchayat, Health and Nutrition Committee etc.
  • Converging these community structures for creating an enabling environment for the TB patients and their families.

Expected outcome

  • Empowerment of TB patients who will develop their sense of self-esteem and aspire for a better future.
  • A core group of TB patients who would emerge as role models to other TB patients by sharing their experiences and motivating them.
  • Emergence of collective power within households to overcome challenges posed by TB
  • Increased demand for TB services.
  • Emergence of enabling environment for the TB patients and their families.