Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural Swaziland

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world and the highest estimated tuberculosis incidence rate in the world. An estimated 80% of TB patients are also infected with HIV. TB detection through intensified case finding (ICF)...

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Main Authors: Nkawanyana Sabelo, Vandelanotte Joris, Kudsk-Iversen Søren, Lawes Timothy, Elden Susan, Welfare William, Walley John, Wright John
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-05-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/11/118
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author Nkawanyana Sabelo
Vandelanotte Joris
Kudsk-Iversen Søren
Lawes Timothy
Elden Susan
Welfare William
Walley John
Wright John
author_facet Nkawanyana Sabelo
Vandelanotte Joris
Kudsk-Iversen Søren
Lawes Timothy
Elden Susan
Welfare William
Walley John
Wright John
author_sort Nkawanyana Sabelo
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world and the highest estimated tuberculosis incidence rate in the world. An estimated 80% of TB patients are also infected with HIV. TB detection through intensified case finding (ICF) has yet to become a routine aspect of integrated tuberculosis and HIV care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate implementation of ICF for TB into routine integrated tuberculosis and HIV care at 16 community clinics and one district hospital in Swaziland.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nurses and lay counsellors conducted ICF using a TB screening tool and patient pathway at all HIV service entry points in clinics and the hospital. The patient pathway had three-stages; screening, sputum smear diagnosis and TB treatment initiation. Outcomes and losses to follow up were monitored at each stage. Patient demographics, access, and service feasibility and effectiveness were compared at hospital and clinic sites.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1467 HIV patients at clinics and the hospital were screened over a 3 month period. Large losses to follow up occurred prior to the sputum diagnosis stage; only 47% (n = 172) of TB suspects provided a specimen. 28 cases of smear positive TB were diagnosed and 24 commenced treatment. People screened at clinics were significantly more likely to be female, older, and from rural or geographically remote areas (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the hospital and clinics sites in the proportion of all participants screened who were smear positive (x2 = 1.909; <it>p = 0.16</it>). The number needed to screen to detect one sputum positive TB case was 34 at clinics and 63 at the district hospital.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ICF was operationally feasible and became established as a routine aspect of tuberculosis and HIV integrated care. ICF in community clinics was potentially more accessible to an underserved, rural population and was as effective as the hospital service in detecting smear positive TB.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-90c81745ab9d4f9f822f216e5a205aec2022-12-22T03:05:08ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632011-05-0111111810.1186/1472-6963-11-118Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural SwazilandNkawanyana SabeloVandelanotte JorisKudsk-Iversen SørenLawes TimothyElden SusanWelfare WilliamWalley JohnWright John<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world and the highest estimated tuberculosis incidence rate in the world. An estimated 80% of TB patients are also infected with HIV. TB detection through intensified case finding (ICF) has yet to become a routine aspect of integrated tuberculosis and HIV care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate implementation of ICF for TB into routine integrated tuberculosis and HIV care at 16 community clinics and one district hospital in Swaziland.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nurses and lay counsellors conducted ICF using a TB screening tool and patient pathway at all HIV service entry points in clinics and the hospital. The patient pathway had three-stages; screening, sputum smear diagnosis and TB treatment initiation. Outcomes and losses to follow up were monitored at each stage. Patient demographics, access, and service feasibility and effectiveness were compared at hospital and clinic sites.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1467 HIV patients at clinics and the hospital were screened over a 3 month period. Large losses to follow up occurred prior to the sputum diagnosis stage; only 47% (n = 172) of TB suspects provided a specimen. 28 cases of smear positive TB were diagnosed and 24 commenced treatment. People screened at clinics were significantly more likely to be female, older, and from rural or geographically remote areas (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the hospital and clinics sites in the proportion of all participants screened who were smear positive (x2 = 1.909; <it>p = 0.16</it>). The number needed to screen to detect one sputum positive TB case was 34 at clinics and 63 at the district hospital.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ICF was operationally feasible and became established as a routine aspect of tuberculosis and HIV integrated care. ICF in community clinics was potentially more accessible to an underserved, rural population and was as effective as the hospital service in detecting smear positive TB.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/11/118
spellingShingle Nkawanyana Sabelo
Vandelanotte Joris
Kudsk-Iversen Søren
Lawes Timothy
Elden Susan
Welfare William
Walley John
Wright John
Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural Swaziland
BMC Health Services Research
title Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural Swaziland
title_full Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural Swaziland
title_fullStr Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural Swaziland
title_full_unstemmed Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural Swaziland
title_short Integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into HIV care: an evaluation from rural Swaziland
title_sort integrating intensified case finding of tuberculosis into hiv care an evaluation from rural swaziland
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/11/118
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