Prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa, 2017-19: a multistage, cluster-based, cross-sectional survey.

Background: Tuberculosis remains an important clinical and public health issue in South Africa, which has one of the highest tuberculosis burdens in the world. We aimed to estimate the burden of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis among people aged 15 years or older in South Africa.

Methods: This multistage, cluster-based, cross-sectional survey included eligible residents (age ≥15 years, who had slept in a house for ≥10 nights in the preceding 2 weeks) in 110 clusters nationally (cluster size of 500 people; selected by probability proportional-to-population size sampling).

Examining the cost of community-based tuberculosis treatment in South Africa.

While South Africa has improved access to tuberculosis (TB) treatment and care, the 2015 treatment success rate for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains low, at 55%. Community-based TB treatment and care improves patient retention compared to the standard of care alone. To assess the cost of a USAID-funded community-based TB model in Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD), Eastern Cape Province, South Africa compared to the national standard of care alone.

Treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis with bedaquiline in a high HIV prevalence setting: an interim cohort analysis.

Background: South Africa has a large burden of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB); only 15% of XDR-TB patients have successful outcomes.

Objective: To describe the safety and effectiveness of bedaquiline (BDQ) in the South African BDQ Clinical Access Programme.

Design: An interim cohort analysis.

Nationwide and regional incidence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa, 2004-12: a time series analysis.

Background: South Africa has the highest incidence of tuberculosis in the world, largely resulting from a high population prevalence of HIV infection. We investigated the incidence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis, and new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis registered for treatment, nationally and provincially in South Africa from 2004 to 2012, during which time there were changes in antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage among individuals with HIV infection.

Methods: We identified cases of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis from 2004 to 2012 from the National Health Laboratory Service Corporate Data Warehouse.

Successes, challenges and lessons from a novel deployment of Xpert(®) MTB/RIF at a major South African public event [Short Communication].

In a mobile deployment of Xpert(®) MTB/RIF (Xpert) at the public event for 2012 South African World TB Day, Xpert testing was offered to tuberculosis (TB) symptomatic clients from gold mining and surrounding communities. Considerations before implementation included effective TB symptom screening; safe, effective sputum collection; uninterrupted electricity supply; stringent instrument verification and provision of on-site results. Public event Xpert testing is feasible; however, the case-finding rate was very low (0.

TB tracer teams in South Africa: knowledge, practices and challenges of tracing TB patients to improve adherence.

Background: In 2008-2009 the South African National Tuberculosis (TB) Program (NTP) implemented a national pilot project, the TB Tracer Project, aiming to decrease default rates and improve patient outcomes. The current study aimed to inform the NTP by describing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of TB program personnel involved with tracing activities.

Methods: A self-administered written questionnaire was sent to TB staff, managers and tracer team leaders to assess basic TB knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Business and AIDS: sectoral challenges and opportunities.

The Business and AIDS think tank held in Durban, South Africa, in June 2006, included a discussion of the policies with which different types of employer could address HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. Breakout groups discussed the role of large and small private sector firms, the public sector, and parastatal organizations. They made recommendations for policies, programmes and future research for each sector.

Development of a health programme in a peri-urban informal settlement in Besters, KwaZulu-Natal.

Objectives: The demographic, socio-economic and environmental status of the peri-urban informal settlement of Besters and its inhabitants' health, welfare and disability profiles were investigated for the development of a community-based health intervention programme.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study using a structured household questionnaire assessed community health status in July 1991 in order to identify specific health and development needs through focus group discussions and community consultations. A health and development programme was established during 1992.

Vitamin A deficiency among children in a periurban South African settlement.

Preschool children (aged 3-6 y) who were living in an informal settlement within metropolitan Durban, South Africa, were assessed for vitamin A status. The serum retinol concentration of 169 children tested was 0.73 +/- 0.