Tuberculosis treatment

An assessment of current support strategies for patients with TB in KwaZulu-Natal

Health Systems Trust (HST) has just released its latest publication entitled, An assessment of current support strategies for patients with TB in KwaZulu-Natal. The study probed the level of need for material assistance experienced by patients, and the impact of such assistance's provision.

An Assessment of Current Support Strategies for Patients with TB in KwaZulu-Natal

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust

Poverty has long been recognized as one of the factors predisposing people to TB (Lancet 2005) and, in South Africa, many patients with TB live in poor conditions. In order to ameliorate these conditions, a few initiatives to support patients with TB have been made in KwaZulu-Natal. To date, support for TB patients has been provided in the form of free treatment at government hospitals and clinics (Department of Health 2001), and nutritional supplementation and social grants (Department of Social Development 2006)1.

Patient Experiences In Antiretroviral Therapy Programmes In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust

This report presents the methods and findings of a qualitative study of the experiences of patients taking medication for HIV infection as part of an antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme in five sites in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The study, known as the ADHERE Project, was designed by MEASURE Evaluation and implemented in collaboration with Health Systems Trust to provide information to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health for use in expanding and improving their ART services.

Cross-border health crisis hits mineworkers

Two years ago Mopeli Mofoka, 39, left his wife and child in Maseru, Lesotho's capital, and joined the more than 50,000 men pushed by poverty and unemployment in their home country to seek work on mines in neighbouring South Africa. It was his second stint as a miner the first had been 15 years earlier. This time he was hired as a sub-contractor, which meant that despite testing positive for HIV during his preliminary health screening he did not have access to the on-site health services available to mine employees. When his health began deteriorating 18 months later, he went to a local public hospital but was turned away because he lacked a South African identity document. His only option was to return home, where he is receiving treatment for tuberculosis (TB) at a government clinic run in partnership with international medical aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontires (MSF) in Morija, about 50km south of Maseru, the capital.

Why do HIV positive TB patients fail to complete treatment more frequently than HIV negative TB patients?

Published by: 
Medical Research Council
The aim of the study was to describe the health seeking behaviour of HIV positive patients with TB. the research question was: Why do HIV + TB patients fail to complete treatment more frequently than HIV-TB patients?