SETTING: Despite Uganda's efforts to improve tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (TB-HIV) collaborative services, implementation remains low and operational barriers have not been systematically identified and documented. OBJECTIVE: To assess barriers to implementation of TB-HIV collaborative services in five districts in Uganda. DESIGN: In this qualitative study, focus groups and key informant and in-depth interviews were conducted for patients (HIV, TB), health providers and community members. TB registers were also assessed for data on use of TB-HIV collaborative services. RESULTS: Of 333 adult TB patients registered between July and September 2006, 185 (56%) were tested for HIV, of whom 134 were HIV-co-infected. Of these, 52% were on cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT), 12% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and CPT, while 36% had not received any HIV service. Health system barriers identified included poor TB-HIV planning, coordination and leadership, inadequate dissemination of policy, inadequate provider knowledge, limited TB-HIV interclinic referral, poor service integration and recording, logistical shortages, high costs of services and provider shortages amidst high patient loads. CONCLUSION: Implementation and utilisation of collaborative TB-HIV services remains suboptimal. The barriers identified highlight the need for TB and HIV programmes to support districts to plan, coordinate and invest resources in TB-HIV collaborative services, especially in policy dissemination, training health providers, integration of TB-HIV services, logistical management and monitoring.
SETTING: Despite Uganda's efforts to improve tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (TB-HIV) collaborative services, implementation remains low and operational barriers have not been systematically identified and documented. OBJECTIVE: To assess barriers to implementation of TB-HIV collaborative services in five districts in Uganda. DESIGN: In this qualitative study, focus groups and key informant and in-depth interviews were conducted for patients (HIV, TB), health providers and community members. TB registers were also assessed for data on use of TB-HIV collaborative services. RESULTS: Of 333 adult TBpatients registered between July and September 2006, 185 (56%) were tested for HIV, of whom 134 were HIV-co-infected. Of these, 52% were on cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT), 12% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and CPT, while 36% had not received any HIV service. Health system barriers identified included poor TB-HIV planning, coordination and leadership, inadequate dissemination of policy, inadequate provider knowledge, limited TB-HIV interclinic referral, poor service integration and recording, logistical shortages, high costs of services and provider shortages amidst high patient loads. CONCLUSION: Implementation and utilisation of collaborative TB-HIV services remains suboptimal. The barriers identified highlight the need for TB and HIV programmes to support districts to plan, coordinate and invest resources in TB-HIV collaborative services, especially in policy dissemination, training health providers, integration of TB-HIV services, logistical management and monitoring.
Authors: H Muttai; K F Laserson; I Akello; L Nyabiage; J Gondi; J Mutegi; J Williamson; A K Nakashima; M-L Ackers Journal: Public Health Action Date: 2013-12-21
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Authors: Sisanda Gaga; Nokuzola Mqoqi; Raymond Chimatira; Singilizwe Moko; Jude O Igumbor Journal: South Afr J HIV Med Date: 2021-05-12 Impact factor: 2.744
Authors: Bernhard Kerschberger; Katherine Hilderbrand; Andrew M Boulle; David Coetzee; Eric Goemaere; Virginia De Azevedo; Gilles Van Cutsem Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-10-05 Impact factor: 3.240