Challenges in data quality: the influence of data quality assessments on data availability and completeness in a voluntary medical male circumcision programme in Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES: To assess availability and completeness of data collected before and after a data quality audit (DQA) in voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) sites in Zimbabwe to determine the effect of this process on data quality. SETTING: 4 of 10 VMMC sites in Zimbabwe that received a DQA in February, 2015 selected by convenience sampling. PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective reviews of all client intake forms (CIFs) from November, 2014 and May, 2015. A total of 1400 CIFs were included from those 2 months across four sites. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Data availability was measured as the percentage of VMMC clients whose CIF was on file at each site. A data evaluation tool measured the completeness of 34 key CIF variables. A comparison of pre-DQA and post-DQA results was conducted using χ2 and t-tests. RESULTS: After the DQA, high record availability of over 98% was maintained by sites 3 and 4. For sites 1 and 2, record availability increased by 8.0% (p=0.001) and 9.7% (p=0.02), respectively. After the DQA, sites 1, 2 and 3 improved significantly in data completeness across 34 key indicators, increasing by 8.6% (p<0.001), 2.7% (p=0.003) and 3.8% (p<0.001), respectively. For site 4, CIF data completeness decreased by 1.7% (p<0.01) after the DQA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that CIF data availability and completeness generally improved after the DQA. However, gaps in documentation of vital signs and adverse events signal areas for improvement. Additional emphasis on data completeness would help support high-quality programme implementation and availability of reliable data for decision-making.

Factors associated with timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy in two HIV clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that only 30% of eligible, HIV-infected individuals start antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study seeks to explore the geographic and individual factors associated with starting ART on time. This retrospective study includes 15,734 HIV-positive adults initiating ART at two HIV clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi. The outcome was starting ART within two weeks of meeting ART eligibility as defined by the Malawi ART guidelines. Euclidean distance from patient neighbourhood to their clinic was calculated using Google Earth. Logistic regression models assessed factors influencing starting ART on time. Of 15,734 adults initiating ART, 8178 were from Lighthouse (LH) and 7556 were from Martin Preuss Center (MPC). Combined, 68.7% started treatment on time. Patients who were eligible for ART based on a CD4 cell count <250 cells/mm(3) versus WHO stage were less likely to begin ART on time at both LH (odds ratio [OR] 0.16; 95% CI 0.13-0.19) and MPC (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.21-0.28). Likelihood of starting on time decreased with each kilometer further from clinic location among LH patients (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.94-0.99); distance was not significant at MPC. In conclusion, predictors differed by clinic. Distance to clinic and type of eligibility for ART significantly influence starting ART on time.

Characteristics of adults and children diagnosed with tuberculosis in Lilongwe, Malawi: findings from an integrated HIV/TB clinic.

OBJECTIVES: To describe initial registration characteristics of adult and paediatric TB patients at a large, public, integrated TB and HIV clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi, between January 2008 and December 2010. METHODS: Routine data on patient with TB category and TB type, stratified by HIV and ART status, were used to explore differences in proportions among TB only, TB/HIV co-infected patients not on ART and TB/HIV co-infected patients on ART using chi-square tests. Trends over time illustrate strengths and weaknesses of integrated service provision. RESULTS: Among 10 143 adults, HIV ascertainment and ART uptake were high and increased over time. The proportion of relapse was highest among those on ART (5%). The proportion of smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB) was highest among HIV-negative patients with TB (34.9%); extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) was lowest among TB only (16.2%). Among 338 children <15 years, EPTB and smear-positive PTB were more common among TB-only patients. Time trends showed significant increases in the proportion of adults with smear-positive PTB and the proportion of adults already on ART before starting TB treatment. However, some co-infected patients still delay ART initiation. CONCLUSIONS: HIV ascertainment and ART uptake among co-infected patients are successful and improving over time. However, delays in ART initiation indicate some weakness linking TB/HIV patients into ART during TB follow-up care. Improved TB diagnostics and screening efforts, especially for paediatric patients, may help improve quality care for co-infected patients. These results may aid efforts to prioritise TB and HIV prevention, education and treatment campaigns for specific populations.

'Task shifting' in an antiretroviral clinic in Malawi: can health surveillance assistants manage patients safely?

Malawi has a critical shortage of clinicians and nurses. This study evaluated whether health surveillance assistants (HSAs) could provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) efficiently and safely for stable patients. HSAs could identify patients with previously established criteria requiring clinical management, including ART initiates, children and patients on second-line treatment. HSAs were not capable of correctly identifying current complications, including potentially severe side effects and toxicities, and inappropriately referred stable patients to clinicians, reducing efficiency. While task shifting to HSAs appears promising, to be safe and efficient, additional clinical training is needed before potentially task shifting stable ART patient care to less skilled health care cadres.

Le Malawi connait un manque critique de cliniciens et d'infirmières. Cette étude a évalué dans quelle mesure les assistants de surveillance de santé (HSA) pourraient distribuer un traitement antirétroviral (ART) de manière efficiente et sûre à des patients en état stable. Les HSA pourraient identifier les patients répondant à des critères préalablement établis, exigeant une prise en charge clinique, notamment les débuts d'ART, les enfants et les patients sous traitement de deuxième ligne. Les HSA n'ont pas été capables d'identifier correctement les complications courantes, notamment les effets collatéraux potentiellement graves et les toxicités ; ils n'ont pas référé de manière appropriée les patients stables aux cliniciens, ce qui a réduit leur efficience. Alors que le transfert de tâches vers les HSA paraît prometteur, pour qu'il soit sûr et efficient, une formation clinique complémentaire s'impose avant de transférer la tâche des soins aux patients ART stables à des cadres de la santé de moindre compétence.

Malaui afronta una grave escasez de personal médico y de enfermería. En el presente estudio se investigó si los auxiliares de vigilancia de la salud (HSA) podrían realizar un suministro eficaz y seguro del tratamiento antirretrovírico (ART) a los pacientes estables. Los ayudantes de vigilancia sanitaria podrían detectar a los pacientes que precisan manejo médico con base en criterios establecidos antes, como los pacientes que comenzaron recientemente el ART, los niños y los pacientes que reciben medicamentos de segunda línea. Los HSA no pudieron reconocer las complicaciones frecuentes, ni las reacciones adversas y las toxicidades que podrían ser graves y remitieron a los médicos, sin razón válida, pacientes estables con lo cual se redujo su eficacia. Si bien la delegación de tareas a los HSA podría parecer prometedora, a fin de velar por la seguridad y la eficiencia de la iniciativa, es preciso impartir una mayor capacitación clínica antes de confiar al personal sanitario menos calificado la atención de pacientes estables que reciben el ART.

Integrated tuberculosis and HIV care in a resource-limited setting: experience from the Martin Preuss centre, Malawi.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and operation of integrated tuberculosis (TB) and HIV care at the Martin Preuss Centre, a multipartner organization bringing together governmental and non-governmental providers of HIV and TB services in Lilongwe, Malawi. METHODS: We used a case study approach to describe the integrated TB/HIV service and to illustrate successes and challenges faced by service providers. We quantified effective TB and HIV integration using indicators defined by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The custom-designed building facilitates patient flow and infection control, and other important elements include coordinated leadership; joint staff training and meetings; and data systems prompting coordinated care. Some integrated services have worked well from the outset, such as promoting HIV testing among patients with TB (96% of patients with TB had documented HIV status in 2009). Other aspects of integrated care have been more challenging, for example achieving high uptake of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive TB patients and combining data from paper and electronic systems. Good TB treatment outcomes (>85% cure or completion) have been achieved among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality integrated services for TB and HIV care can be provided in a resource-limited setting. Lessons learned may be valuable for service providers in other settings of high HIV and TB prevalence.