TABLE 1.

Definitions of HIV-TB Process Indicators Used in the Quality Improvement Intervention to Integrate HIV-TB Services in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

HIV-TB Process IndicatorAbbreviationDefinition
HTS for PHC clinic attendeesHTSPercentage of patients that accessed HIV tests, expressed as a percentage of the clinics’ HIV testing targeta
Numerator: Number of patients tested for HIV
Denominator: Clinic assigned target for HTS
TB screening among PHC clinic attendeesTB screeningPercentage of clinic attendees screened for TB signs or symptomsb
Numerator: Number of clinic attendees screened for TB signs and symptoms (adults and children)
Denominator: Clinic headcount (Number of people accessing any health services at a facility during a specified period)
Initiating IPT among eligible new ART patientsIPT initiationPercentage of new ART patients initiated onto IPT
Numerator: Number of new ART patients initiated on IPT
Denominator: Number of new ART patients with no signs or symptoms of TB
ART initiation among TB/HIV coinfected patientsART initiationPercentage of TB/HIV coinfected patients initiated on ART
Numerator: Number of TB/HIV coinfected patients initiated on ART
Denominator: Number of confirmed TB patients tested positive for HIV
VL testing at month 12 after ART initiationcVL testingPercentage of eligible ART patients who had a VL test at month 12 after ART initiation
Numerator: Number of ART patients who received a VL test at month 12 after ART initiation
Denominator: Number of ART patients eligible for a VL test at month 12 after ART initiation
  • Abbreviations: ART, antiretroviral therapy; HTS, HIV testing services; IPT, isoniazid preventive therapy; PHC, primary health care; VL, viral load.

  • a All clinics receive a monthly target for HIV Testing Services from their respective District Offices.

  • b TB signs and symptom screening refers to the verbal screening checklist which documents the common signs and symptoms of TB (current cough of any duration, fever for >2 weeks, drenching night sweats, Unexplained weight loss of >1.5kg in a month).

  • c According to the South African National Department of Health National Consolidated guidelines, a viral load test is required at month 6 and month 12 after ART initiation and annually thereafter. This study focused on the month 12 viral load only.