HSRC Integrated Annual Report 2018/2019

the methodology included testing for HIV, as well as testing for antiretroviral and HIV loads. The data can therefore be used to monitor the stages of HIV medical care for transgender women, while also advocating HIV services for this often neglected and underserved key population. Ghana Mapping Study (GMS) Researchers were commissioned as technical advisors for the GMS II by the Ghana AIDS Commission. The GMS II, conducted with researchers from the School of Medicine at KNUST, recruited 4 095 men who have sex with men (MSM) across eight regions of Ghana: Greater Accra region (N=546); Ashanti region (N=511); Brong-Ahafo region (N=504); Central region (N=503); Eastern region (N=501); Northern areas of Ghana (N=510); Volta region (N=505); and Western region (N=515). To date the GMS II is the largest bio-behavioural survey conducted amongst MSM in Ghana. National TB Prevalence Survey The HSRC, working with the National Department of Health, the South African Medical Research Council, and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases conducted the first national tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey in South Africa. The survey aims to enhance TB control in South Africa by informing the National TB Control Programme about the current epidemiological situation of TB disease and offering insight into ways in which TB control can be improved. The primary objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB disease among the adult (≥15 years) population of South Africa. In addition, the study aims to: • Identify the extent to which people with TB or with symptoms suggestive of pulmonary TB seek care and fromwhich type of health provider; • Estimate the prevalence of sputum GXP-positive TB; • Estimate the prevalence of Rifampicin resistant TB, diagnosed using GXP; • Estimate the prevalence of sputum culture- positive TB; and • Provide a baseline TB prevalence estimate for the future assessment of trends in the burden of TB disease in South Africa. The survey was undertaken in a nationally representative sample of approximately 55 000 adults (≥15 years) identified and sampled from 110 population clusters across South Africa, and will be completed in September 2019. Best Practices among Primary Care Physicians in the Private Medical Sector A study on best practices among primary care physicians in the private medical sector is being conducted by the HSRC, in collaboration with McGill University, and is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The study aims to assess clinical practices for common ailments among a random sample of private sector family and general practitioners to identify commonalities, best practices as well as areas for improvement, intervention, and support, using standardised patients. The study is being conducted in Durban and Cape Town and will be completed in July 2019. Strategies to Reduce Pre-Treatment Loss to Follow-Up and Improve Successful Patient Outcomes in a TB Hotspot This study was conducted with National Institute of Communicable Diseases Centre for Tuberculosis and the United KingdomMedical Research Council. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to decrease pre-treatment loss to follow-up (PLTFU) and improving patient final outcomes (SPO) among patients with rifampicin susceptible, microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB (mPTB), attending primary health care facilities within a geographic TB hotspot. The specific objectives were: • To assess the effectiveness of a package of interventions consisting of i) pre- and post-TB test counselling and ii) a once off cash transfer, conditional to initiation of TB treatment, in decreasing pre-treatment loss to follow-up among adults (>18 years) undergoing investigation for pulmonary TB; • To determine the effectiveness of conditional cash transfers in increasing successful patient outcomes in adults with microbiologically confirmed PTB; and • To assess the cost-effectiveness of the interventions in studies 1 and 2 in reducing pre-treatment loss to follow-up and increasing successful patient outcomes respectively. The HSRC was responsible for developing the pre- and post-TB test counselling materials. The project was concluded in 2018. HSRC INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 / 35