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
“It’s about time they taught us”: a qualitative study evaluating the barriers to finding and screening child contacts under five at risk for TB in Gauteng Province, South Africa from the provider and caregiver perspectives
Munedzimwe F, Chetty-Makkan C, Mukora R, Charalambous S, Turner K, Chihota V. “It’s about time they taught us”: a qualitative study evaluating the barriers to finding and screening child contacts under five at risk for TB in Gauteng Province, South Africa from the provider and caregiver perspectives. BMC Health Services Research 2023, 23: 1415. PMID: 38102646, PMCID: PMC10722712, DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10359-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTB preventive treatmentTB prevention strategiesIsoniazid preventive therapyTB staffSemi-structured questionnaireTB transmissionFacility staffPrevention strategiesPrimary health clinicsPrevention of tuberculosisEnd TB goalChild contactsYears of ageFacility observationsSemi-structured interview guidePreventive therapyTB preventionTB screeningTB treatmentPreventive servicesPreventive treatmentEkurhuleni DistrictHealth clinicsHigh riskCaregiver perspectives
2018
The utility of repeat Xpert MTB/RIF testing to diagnose tuberculosis in HIV-positive adults with initial negative result
Hanifa Y, Fielding K, Chihota V, Adonis L, Charalambous S, Foster N, Karstaedt A, McCarthy K, Nicol M, Ndlovu N, Sinanovic E, Sahid F, Stevens W, Vassall A, Churchyard G, Grant A. The utility of repeat Xpert MTB/RIF testing to diagnose tuberculosis in HIV-positive adults with initial negative result. Gates Open Research 2018, 2: 22. DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12815.1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNegative Xpert resultHIV-positive adultsXpert resultsTB treatmentHigh riskXpert MTB/RIF testingMTB/RIF testingXpert MTB/RIFAppropriate diagnostic modalitiesMonths of enrollmentHIV-positive individualsMTB/RIFInitial negative resultMycobacterium tuberculosis cultureTB diagnostic testsFurther investigationHIV careActive tuberculosisMicrobiological confirmationSputum samplesDiagnostic modalitiesNational guidelinesSputumTuberculosis cultureInvestigation pathway