Evaluation Of The Tb/HIV Collaborative Activities In The Manya Krobo District Of The Eastern Region

ABSTRACT

Background/ Objectives Globally, HIV is fuelling the tuberculosis epidemic, creating a public health crisis of a major concern. In response to the dual epidemic the WHO-recommended TB/HIV collaborative activities to be implemented by countries with HIV prevalence of more than 1%. In keeping with WHO recommendations, Ghana started the collaborative activities in a few districts of which Manya Krobo District was one. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of the TB/HIV collaborative activities in the Manya Krobo District. Methods An exploratory review using both qualitative and quantitative methods was done. Qualitative data was collected from 11 DOTS and 2 HAART centres and programme managers at the district and regional level. Retrospective records review of TB registers and clients cards was employed to obtain quantitative data. Results The key findings were poor collaboration and coordination of activities, poor data management and weak supervision and monitoring. The proportion of TB patients receiving HIV counselling and testing increased from 62.6% to 71.1% over the period. The proportion of TB patients who are tested and are positive increased from 50.9% to a peak 0f 71.7% and decreased to 68.5%. vi The proportion of TB/HIV patients receiving CPT reduced from 93.1% to 78.4%. The proportion of TB/HIV patients receiving ART decreased from58.6% to 50% and increased to 61.1% but decreased again to 48.7%. Treatment success rate for TB/HIV patients decreased from 70.2% to 47.2% but increased again to 87.5 % over the period. Conclusion Evidently, much remains to be done by both programs to improve the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of collaborative TB-HIV activities and to optimize prevention, treatment and care for people infected with both TB and HIV. Sustaining and improving TB/HIV collaborative activities will require commitment from both NTP and NACP, establishment of mechanism for collaboration, provision of the needed logistics and strengthening of the monitoring and evaluation system at the regional and district levels.