Viljoen, L., Hendricks, P., Hoddinott, G., Vanqa, N., Osman, Muhammad ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3818-9729, Hesseling, A. C. and Meehan, S-A. (2022) Early interactions with newly diagnosed TB patients in hospital can support linkage to care. Public Health Action, 12 (3):7. pp. 121-127. ISSN 2220-8372 (Online) (doi:10.5588/pha.22.0012)

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: In South Africa, failure to link individuals
diagnosed with TB to care remains an important gap
in the TB care cascade. Compared to people diagnosed
at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities, people diagnosed
in hospitals are more likely to require additional support
to be linked with PHC TB treatment services. We describe
a patient interaction process to support linkage to TB
care.
METHODS: We implemented a step-by-step early patient
interaction process with 84 adults newly diagnosed
with TB in one district hospital in Khayelitsha, Cape
Town, South Africa (August 2020–March 2021). We confirmed
patient contact details, provided TB and health information,
shared information on accessing care at PHC
facilities and answered patients’ questions in their home
language.
RESULTS: Most patients (54/84, 64%) provided updated
telephone numbers, and 19/84 (23%) reported
changes in their physical address. Patients welcomed
practical and health information in their home language.
The majority (74/84, 88%) were linked to care after hospital
discharge.
CONCLUSIONS: A simple early patient interaction process
implemented as part of routine care is a feasible
strategy to facilitate early TB treatment initiation and
registration.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	tuberculosis; linkage to care; patient engagement; TB cascade
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology R Medicine > RT Nursing
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2022 11:13
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/37940

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