| Quantitative analyses | Qualitative themes |
---|---|---|
Study implementation | TB counsellors’ median pre-training and post-training TB knowledge score were 50% (IQR 7.5%) and 65% (IQR 17.5%). The median change in score was 12.5% (95%CI = 5.0 to 20.0%)a Enrolled 51.5% (84 out of 163) of all TB patients who started treatment during the study period. Median duration of health talks (n = 58) was 94.1 (± 42.4) minutes | • Clinic engagement and limitations • Counsellors’ knowledge gaps • Proficiency and tedium of health talks |
TB testing & treatment initiation* | Comparing the study period to the historical control period: - Number of diagnostic tests increased by 1.36 times (95%CI 1.23 to 1.58) (see Fig. 2 for observed and expected TB tests performed pre-and post-intervention)b - Probability of treatment initiation increased from 7.8 to 19.0%; with an estimated increase of 10.1% (95%CI 1.5 to 21.3%) after adjusting for potential confoundersc - Median treatment delay decreased from 7.0 days to 4.5 days, a change of 2.5 days (95%CI 2.0 to 3.0 days)d | • Perceived patient engagement • Difficult patient queries |
Treatment retention* | Probability of treatment completion was similar during the study period (45%) and the historical control period (46%). There was an estimated increase during the study period of 4.4% (95%CI −7.3 to 16.0%) after adjusting for baseline confounderse Among those enrolled, 26 (31%) received only the first of two study counselling sessions. | • Improved treatment self-efficacy • Alleviation of anxiety, fears and perceived stigma • Barriers to treatment and counselling |