Effects of financial incentives for treatment supporters on tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Swaziland: a pragmatic interventional study.

Background: Swaziland has the highest national incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world, with treatment success rates well below the 85 % international target. Treatment support as part of comprehensive TB services is a core component of the Stop TB Strategy. This study investigated the effects of financial incentives for treatment supporters on TB treatment outcomes in Swaziland.

Using no-cost mobile phone reminders to improve attendance for HIV test results: a pilot study in rural Swaziland.

Background: Mobile technology has great potential to improve adherence and treatment outcomes in healthcare settings. However, text messaging and phone calls are unaffordable in many resource-limited areas. This study investigates the use of a no-cost alternative mobile phone technology using missed calls ('buzzing') to act as a patient reminder.

Introduction and evaluation of a 'pre-ART care' service in Swaziland: an operational research study.

Objective: To implement and evaluate a formal pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) care service at a district hospital in Swaziland.

Design: Operational research.

Setting: District hospital in Southern Africa.

Nurse led, primary care based antiretroviral treatment versus hospital care: a controlled prospective study in Swaziland.

Background: Antiretroviral treatment services delivered in hospital settings in Africa increasingly lack capacity to meet demand and are difficult to access by patients. We evaluate the effectiveness of nurse led primary care based antiretroviral treatment by comparison with usual hospital care in a typical rural sub Saharan African setting.

Methods: We undertook a prospective, controlled evaluation of planned service change in Lubombo, Swaziland.