Tuberculosis, HIV, AIDS, Treatment Support and Integrated Therapy

This project, in collaboration with the MRC, aims tointegrate TB and HIV care by expanding the delivery of HIV care to TB patients in South Africa and promote TB screening in HIV-positive patients, using lessons learnt from the best practice model developed by other MRC partners.

TB, although curable, is one of the most common causes of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in South Africa and in other African countries. Owing to a lack of awareness and education patients often present themselves very late for help at healthcare facilities. What is more, the diagnosis of TB in association with HIV infection is not always straightforward. The project aims, therefore, to intensify TB screening in all HIV-positive patients.

South Africa has TB incidence rates ranging from 400 to 1 500/100 000 compared to the USA, which has incidence rates of   At the same time, the programme targets HIV-infected patients either directly or through community involvement and outreach programme to heighten the awareness of TB signs and symptoms so that they can present their conditions in time to the relevant health authorities for TB diagnosis, treatment, and clinical interventions.