Community-based intervention to enhance provision of integrated TB-HIV and PMTCT services in South Africa

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an impact assessment of an intervention to enhance the provision of community-based integrated services for tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).

METHODS: The intervention consisted of a combination of training of community care workers (CCWs), structural adjustments, harmonisation of scope of practice and stipend of CCWs and enhanced supervision of CCWs to provide comprehensive TB-HIV/PMTCT services in a rural South African district. A before and after study design was used with a household survey to assess the operational effectiveness of the intervention. Six clusters were randomised into intervention and control arms. Quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression, adjusting for cluster design.

RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses of the survey data show that CCWs from the intervention arm performed better in the provision of TB-HIV/PMTCT services, such as screening for TB and sexually transmitted infections, adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral therapy and counselling on infant feeding compared to the control CCWs (P < 0.05). However, intervention CCWs performed worse in the integrated management of childhood illnesses education and social welfare referrals (P < 0.05). The uptake of HIV testing increased significantly in the intervention arm, from 55% to 78% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The intervention was effective in enhancing the provision of community-based TB-HIV and PMTCT services. However, attention to other primary health care services is required to ensure that all key services are provided.