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Background. We assessed the impact of WHO's 2010 guidelines that removed the requirement of CD4 count before ART, on timely initiation of ART among HIV/TB patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods. Data collected to monitor implementation of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) and linkage to HIV care from 65 and 13 TB clinics in Kinshasa and Kisangani, respectively, between November 2010 and June 2013. Results. Prior to the WHO's 2010 guidelines, in Kinshasa, 79.1% (401/507) of HIV/TB patients referred for HIV services were initiated on ART in clinics with onsite ART services compared to 50.0% (63/123) in clinics without. Following the implementation of the new guidelines, 89.8% (714/795) and 93.0% (345/371) of HIV/TB patients referred for HIV services were initiated on ART, respectively, in clinics with onsite and without onsite ART services. Similarly, in Kisangani, 69.7% (53/120) and 36.4% (16/44) in clinics with and without onsite ART service, respectively, were initiated on ART prior to the 2010 guidelines and 88.8% (135/152) and 72.6% (106/146), respectively, after the new guidelines. Conclusion. Though implementation of the 2010 guidelines increased the proportion of HIV/TB patients initiated on ART substantially, it remained below the 100% target, particularly in clinics without onsite ART services.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) of patients with presumptive tuberculosis (TB) is not widely implemented and the burden of HIV among them is not well characterized. We assessed the uptake of PITC and prevalence of HIV among patients with presumptive TB in primary care settings in the Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: PITC was implemented in primary care TB clinics in Kinshasa and Kisangani, respectively. In each of the clinics, all patients presenting with cough lasting more than two weeks or any other symptom suggestive of TB were offered HIV testing and counseling and those found to be HIV+ were linked to HIV care and treatment. RESULTS: Between November 2011 and June 2013, 43,145 patients with presumptive TB were registered in 65 clinics in Kinshasa of whom 84.0% were counseled; 92.4% of those counseled were tested and 4,320 (12.9%) were found to be HIV+. Similarly, in Kisangani, of the 6,687 patients with presumptive TB were registered in 13 clinics, 80.5% were counseled; 99.3% were tested for HIV and 619 (11.6%) were found to be HIV+. CONCLUSION: Implementation of PITC among patients with presumptive TB in primary care clinics was associated with high uptake of HIV testing and identification of high number of HIV+ patients.