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 Indicator | Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| HTS for PHC clinic attendees | HTS | Percentage 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 attendees | TB screening | Percentage 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 patients | IPT initiation | Percentage 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 patients | ART initiation | Percentage 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 initiationc | VL testing | Percentage 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.