2024
Health-seeking behaviour and patient-related factors associated with the time to TB treatment initiation in four African countries: a cross-sectional survey
Sathar F, Charalambous S, Velen K, Fielding K, Rachow A, Ivanova O, Rassool M, Lalashowi J, Owolabi O, Nhassengo P, Chihota V, Evans D. Health-seeking behaviour and patient-related factors associated with the time to TB treatment initiation in four African countries: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Public Health 2024, 2: e001002. DOI: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-001002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTB treatment initiationCross-sectional surveyTB symptomsPrimary care facilitiesTreatment initiationMedian total delayHealth-seeking behaviorNational TB Control ProgrammeTB treatmentCohort of adultsTB control programmesActive case findingPatient-related factorsHealth facilitiesTB servicesHIV prevalenceCare facilitiesDrug-susceptible pulmonary TBTotal delaySecond-leading causeTime to treatment initiationCase findingCox regression modelsStructured questionnaireInitiation of treatment
2023
Impact of youth lay health workers on HIV service delivery in South Africa: A pragmatic cluster randomized trial of the Youth Health Africa program
Tollefson D, Dasgupta S, Setswe G, Reeves S, Charalambous S, Duerr A. Impact of youth lay health workers on HIV service delivery in South Africa: A pragmatic cluster randomized trial of the Youth Health Africa program. PLOS ONE 2023, 18: e0294719. PMID: 38033029, PMCID: PMC10688901, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294719.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV service deliveryHIV testingTreatment initiationIntervention facilitiesHealth workersYoung adultsAdolescents/young adultsProportion of patientsPragmatic clusterSecondary outcomesHIV positivityPrimary outcomeTreat analysisHIV servicesHIV programsHealth facilitiesHIVBaseline outcomesTrialsService deliveryNull trialsCareImmediate increaseOutcomesGreater improvement