Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge, with stigma significantly affecting prevention, diagnosis, treatment adherence, and quality of life of people affected. Sierra Leone is classified by the WHO as a high TB burden country, with an estimated incidence of 283 cases per 100,000 people in 2023. Recent efforts, supported by the WHO, are focused on improving case finding, especially among children and high-risk populations, and integrating services with HIV care. The mortality rate (all forms, excluding HIV) decreased from 57 to 35 per 100,000 population between 2015 and 2021 and approximately 13% of people with TB were reported as HIV-positive.
With reported progress of 92% and 92% case detection and treatment success rates in 2024, the emergence of drug-resistant TB poses a significant threat to the gains made. In 2025, the National TB Control Programme, with support from WHO and partners, concluded the program End Term Implementation Review. The outcomes have repositioned the National program for the next phase of interventions, building on the findings of the End Term Review.
Conducting a TB stigma index study provides science-driven evidence to complement the next phase of interventions, as stigma is seen to halt progress towards the END TB Plan of 2030. The study will help illuminate the community, health care/facility and patient perspectives of self, experienced and perceived stigma along the TB care and treatment cascade
This call invites a suitable candidate to apply and lead the cross-sectional/mixed-methods study on TB stigma in Sierra Leone.
Objectives
To lead the conduct of the TB stigma index 2026 study in Sierra Leone, facilitating evidence generation to mitigate the impact of stigma on new infections and service uptake in communities.
Key Components and Scope of Work:
Protocol
Develop a protocol for the study to be submitted to Sierra Leone's independent ethics committee, ensuring the protocol receives clearance for study conduct, including responding to and clearing all queries raised by the ethics committee
Methodology
Lead a cross-sectional/ mixed study on TB stigma across Sierra Leone districts, reflective of communities and populations impacted by stigma and discrimination
Stigma Index Survey:
Develop a culturally sensitive and contextually relevant survey tool in collaboration with key stakeholders, including TB CSOs, community leaders, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups and the National TB program.
The survey will cover various dimensions of stigma, including social, economic, workplace, and healthcare-related aspects.
Sample Selection:
Collaborate with local NGOs, community-based organizations, and healthcare facilities to facilitate participant recruitment. Ensuring a representative sample of TB patients, Presumptive TB cases, contacts of TB cases and the community from diverse backgrounds, including different regions, genders, age groups, and key populations, participate in the study.
The sample must include all sub-populations of people infected with TB who are above the national age of consent.
Training module
Develop a tailored training module that meets study needs, ensuring data collectors have the capacity to collect relevant data for the study
Data Collection:
Developed data collector recruitment criteria and supervise the national consultants to train a team of enumerators and supervisors, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality, ethical considerations, and cultural sensitivity.
Utilize a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods to capture both numerical and narrative/text data.
Data Analysis:
Supervise a team of national consultants to analyze collected data, including transcription of text data,
Identify patterns, trends, and key drivers of stigma to inform evidence-based interventions.
Community Engagement:
Provide guidance to national consultants on conducting community workshops and focus group discussions to validate survey findings and gather additional insights.
Stakeholder Workshops:
Support the national consultants in developing a roadmap for organizing workshops with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to share survey results and collaboratively develop strategies for stigma reduction.
Advocate for policy changes and improved healthcare practices based on the findings.
Reporting
In collaboration with the national consultants, lead the writing of a comprehensive report and the study's findings in MSW, and summarize them in PowerPoint presentations, including developing other dissemination formats such as policy briefs for appropriate levels of dissemination.
Tool and Questionnaire Development
Review existing tools, including internationally recognized tools such as the stigma scale for chronic illness-8, to adapt the questionnaire and ensure relevance to context and the planned study
Supervision
The consultant will report to the members of the steering committee.
Deliverables
The consultant will:
Basic
Candidate must be a graduate from a recognized institution in the field of pure and/ or social sciences, including public health, epidemiology, sociology, anthropology, statistics, medicine, and related disciplines
Must possess a master's degree in any of the relevant disciplines
Candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience working in the field of HIV and TB
Candidate will demonstrate experience conducting relevant studies in the past
Candidate will demonstrate experience working in West African territories/ doing similar work in Western African territories or in other African regions
Will have the ability to conduct sound research, be knowledgeable in good clinical practice and develop ethically sound protocol
Excellent knowledge of MSW, PP, Excel, SPSS, etc.
Must be fluent in English and a creative writer
Desirable
A PhD in any of the above-mentioned disciplines
Published papers relevant to the area of the assigned task
Has documented and is willing to share relevant works carried out in the past
Demonstrating evidence of collaboration with other researchers
Applications should be sent with subject Application for International Consultant TB Stigma Index studies not later than February 17th , 2026 to:
[email protected] and copy
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