Mother’s At Risk: Pregnant and Fighting TB
1
EHWOZA NPC, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
3
MRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
4
Centre for Integrated Data and Epidemiological Research (CIDER), UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2259
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
tuberculosis (TB) during pregnancy presents serious risks to both maternal and neonatal health1, yet experiences of pregnant and postpartum women affected by TB are often overlooked, and community access to information on maternal TB remains limited2. this project aimed to address this gap by producing a film to raise awareness and stimulate community dialogue.
METHODS:
to do this and as part of a study investigating the burden, impact, and response to maternal TB in the western Cape, the CIDER3 research unit at UCT partnered with Eh!woza4, an NPO based in Khayelitsha that bridges the gap between science and society using creative techniques. film production took a participatory approach, combining research, storytelling, and community-led knowledge generation. women affected by TB during pregnancy attended a facilitated workshop, where shared experiences guided the themes to be covered in the film, such as stigma, treatment adherence, and the emotional effects of TB during pregnancy. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and the option of anonymity, were prioritised. editing was done collaboratively with featured women and researchers, ensuring both scientific accuracy and narrative authenticity.
RESULTS:
the collaborative and participatory film ‘mothers at risk: pregnant and fighting TB’5 highlights women’s voices over external framing. screenings with diverse audiences, including khayelitsha community members, high school learners, postgraduate students at UCT, and at a world TB day event, allowed for genuine and inclusive dialogue, raising local awareness of maternal TB and facilitating further exchange between researchers and women affected by TB.
CONCLUSIONS:
the film has been a useful tool for stimulating dialogue on stigma, access to care, and managing TB during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of integrating lived experience into health research. by bringing together creative media and health research, the project demonstrates how participatory storytelling can both share knowledge and amplify the voices that are often overlooked.
tuberculosis (TB) during pregnancy presents serious risks to both maternal and neonatal health1, yet experiences of pregnant and postpartum women affected by TB are often overlooked, and community access to information on maternal TB remains limited2. this project aimed to address this gap by producing a film to raise awareness and stimulate community dialogue.
METHODS:
to do this and as part of a study investigating the burden, impact, and response to maternal TB in the western Cape, the CIDER3 research unit at UCT partnered with Eh!woza4, an NPO based in Khayelitsha that bridges the gap between science and society using creative techniques. film production took a participatory approach, combining research, storytelling, and community-led knowledge generation. women affected by TB during pregnancy attended a facilitated workshop, where shared experiences guided the themes to be covered in the film, such as stigma, treatment adherence, and the emotional effects of TB during pregnancy. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and the option of anonymity, were prioritised. editing was done collaboratively with featured women and researchers, ensuring both scientific accuracy and narrative authenticity.
RESULTS:
the collaborative and participatory film ‘mothers at risk: pregnant and fighting TB’5 highlights women’s voices over external framing. screenings with diverse audiences, including khayelitsha community members, high school learners, postgraduate students at UCT, and at a world TB day event, allowed for genuine and inclusive dialogue, raising local awareness of maternal TB and facilitating further exchange between researchers and women affected by TB.
CONCLUSIONS:
the film has been a useful tool for stimulating dialogue on stigma, access to care, and managing TB during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of integrating lived experience into health research. by bringing together creative media and health research, the project demonstrates how participatory storytelling can both share knowledge and amplify the voices that are often overlooked.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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