Baseline Evaluation of Routine HIV Testing among Tuberculosis Patients in Botswana

Type Journal Article - The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Title Baseline Evaluation of Routine HIV Testing among Tuberculosis Patients in Botswana
Author(s)
Volume 12
Issue Supplement 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2008
Page numbers S92-S94
URL http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/ijtld/2008/00000012/a00103s1/art00017
Abstract
In January 2004, the government of Botswana introduced a policy of routine, non-compulsory human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing to increase testing and access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) for individuals presenting for medical treatment. Before a systematic implementation of the policy, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of tuberculosis (TB) record data from 46 clinics in 10 districts to assess baseline HIV testing rates among TB patients. Recorded HIV results from the facility TB register and TB treatment card were reviewed. Of the 1242 TB patients entered in the register, 47% had a recorded HIV result and 84% of these were co-infected with HIV. TB treatment cards were available for 862 (69%) registered patients. Among the 411 (47%) with test results recorded on the treatment card, 341 (83%) were HIV-infected; of these, 12% were reported to be receiving ART.

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