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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Glob. Womens Health

Sec. Sex and Gender Differences in Disease

Volume 6 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2025.1575082

This article is part of the Research Topic The Impact of Sex and Gender in Disease Diagnostics in Global Health View all 4 articles

Inequities and Factors Associated with Gender and Disability in NTD-Endemic Communities in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire: An Intersectional Approach to Interventions

Provisionally accepted
  • 1 Ecole Doctorale des Sciences de la Santé de Cotonou, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin, Cotonou, Benin
  • 2 Centre Interfacultaire de Formation et de Recherche en Environnement pour le développement Durable, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
  • 3 School of Anthropology University of Arizona, Arizona, United States
  • 4 Anesvad Foundation, Bilbao, Spain, Bilbao, Spain
  • 5 Fondation Raoul Follereau, Paris, France, Paris, France

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Method: This intervention-oriented operational research, employing a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative), targeted 841 PWD and 90 community members. Initially, records from various centers managing Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the study areas were reviewed. All PWD listed in the registers and residing in the community, as well as other community members, were included. Data on socio-demographic and socioeconomic and clinical factors were collected using an interview guide and an observation grid. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 (alpha = 5%), while qualitative data were processed through triangulation, categorized, cross-tabulated, and synthesized by theme, hypothesis, and indicator. A subset of PWD facing barriers to accessing education, training, income-generating activities, or healthcare was selected for intervention.The median age was 38 years (IQR = 22-52). Among the 841 PWD, 497 were men and 344 were women (sex ratio = 1.45). Univariate analysis revealed significant associations (p = 0.000) between gender disparities and marital status, monthly income, education level and occupation type. Multivariable analysis identified three factors strongly associated with gender disparities (p = 0.000): marital status, monthly income, and profession. Interventions were designed to address these factors and included vocational training, medical care, and educational or professional scholarships. These measures collectively improved the living conditions of PWD and helped raise awareness among those in their immediate environment, fostering social integration and reducing self-stigmatization.This study provides a deeper understanding of the inequalities that PWDs face in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. It highlights the need to adopt intersectional approaches in policies and practices to effectively address the multiple forms of discrimination faced by women and girls with disabilities, promoting their inclusion and protection in all areas of society.

    Keywords: gender, Disability, health inequities/health disparities, neglected tropical diseases, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire

    Received: 11 Feb 2025; Accepted: 24 Mar 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 GANDIGBE, MIGNANWANDE, TOSSOU, CODJO-SEIGNON, AGBO, GBAGUIDI, ANAGONOU, GUEDOU, Nichter, Juan Jimenez, JOHNSON and Giné-March. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Yévèdo Borel TOSSOU, Centre Interfacultaire de Formation et de Recherche en Environnement pour le développement Durable, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
    Karine Lucrèce Marie CODJO-SEIGNON, Centre Interfacultaire de Formation et de Recherche en Environnement pour le développement Durable, Abomey-Calavi, Benin

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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