Linkage to care among adults being investigated for tuberculosis in South Africa: pilot study of a case manager intervention.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:We piloted an intervention to determine if support from a case manager would assist adults being investigated for tuberculosis (TB) to link into TB and HIV care. DESIGN:Pilot interventional cohort study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:Patients identified by primary healthcare clinic staff in South Africa as needing TB investigations were enrolled. INTERVENTION:Participants were supported for 3 months by case managers who facilitated the care pathway by promoting HIV testing, getting laboratory results, calling patients to return for results and facilitating treatment initiation. OUTCOMES MEASURED:Linkage to TB care was defined as starting TB treatment within 28 days in those with a positive test result; linkage to HIV care, for HIV-positive people, was defined as having blood taken fo

SUBMITTER: Maraba N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5988070 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature