MRC PhD students

Level of study: MSc

Title: Participating positively in the integrated management of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis: A TB Clinic based approach

Project summary: In response to the catastrophic HIV and AIDS epidemic and arising from an established commitment to the provision of comprehensive evidence based treatment and care to people living with HIV and AIDS, we have developed a TB Clinic model of delivering anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, emphasizing active counseling and testing for HIV among TB patients and adopting an opt-out approach whereby all patients are tested and referred for treatment unless the patient refuses.

The project aims to demonstrate that the management of HIV/AIDS in a TB setting including the provision of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Treatment (HAART) is successful, feasible and replicable. This project is collaboration between the Medical Research Council (MRC), Department of Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, and University Research Co, LLC (URC). The proposed collaboration creates a trans-disciplinary team with programme and research leadership in comprehensive HIV and AIDS care and management, and expertise in virology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral science, clinical trial management and community mobilization. This group proposes: (i) strengthening and expanding existing infrastructure by improving and increasing Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) for TB patients; (ii) introducing ARV treatment centres (HAART) to at least 3 TB clinics; (iii) piloting an electronic/manual register for monitoring and evaluating TB/ HAART programmes. The proposed project will therefore address the following identified objectives: (i) VCT for TB patients; (ii) HIV/AIDS education and prevention among TB patients at high risk for infection; (iii) Referral systems from entry points (TB clinics) to ARV treatment sites; (iv) The delivery of HAART to TB patients and monitoring of ARV therapy.

The greatest strength of the proposed group is its capability to conduct research in accordance with the National plans for the role out of anti-retrovirals in resource-constrained settings. In addition Community preparations for receiving HAART in TB patients are not at an advanced stage and a Community Advisory Board as well as a community education plan needs to be established.

Supervisors: Dr Roxana Rustomjee
Study Institution: University of KwaZulu-Natal
MRC Unit: Clinical and Biomedical TB Research Unit