The influence of integrated tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus service delivery on patient outcomes

Public health clinics in Cape Town, South Africa.

To examine the influence of integrated tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service delivery on mortality, TB cure and successful treatment completion and loss to follow-up of TB-HIV co-infected patients on concurrent anti-tuberculosis and antiretroviral treatment (ART).

A survey instrument was used to measure the degree to which TB and HIV services were jointly delivered, and patient data were collected retrospectively from clinic sites and the Department of Health. Six domains measuring integrated TB and HIV service delivery were modelled to assess their relationship with patient outcomes.

Two domains, integrated TB and ART service delivery and the delivery of TB and HIV care by one clinical team, were associated with lowered odds of death. Care by the same clinical team was also associated with reduced loss to follow-up.

Overall, these findings show that the organization and delivery of health services are important factors that influence health outcomes. These findings strongly support efforts by local governments to integrate TB and ART services, and may help to alleviate concerns that restructuring of TB programs could have a negative impact on long-standing gains.