Indicators and research methods for rapid assessment of a tuberculosis control programme: case study of a rural area in South Africa.
METHODS
An evaluation of the Tuberculosis Control Programme (TBCP) of KaNgwane, a rural, previously designated 'homeland' of South Africa, was performed in 1990.


OBJECTIVE
The evaluation is presented as a case study to illustrate a proposed methodology for rapid, comprehensive, management oriented TBCP research.


METHODS
The components of the TBCP were categorised into direct TBCP activities, management processes and integration of the TBCP into Primary Health Care (PHC). The methods used to evaluate indicators for each of these components included: policy analysis, interviews with staff and patients, observation of in-patient and ambulatory patient care, record reviews and a household survey.


RESULTS
The regional scope of the study yielded a wealth of useful information at a managerial level. Detailed, quantitative information was obtained, allowing for the identification of weaknesses in the TBCP and the targeting of appropriate action. Particularly problematic aspects were: the health information collection, case-finding and case-holding, health education and coordination and supervision. Comparative analyses between different health wards helped identify particular areas of weakness. Both illustrative results and methodological limitations are presented. The methodology used is related to previous South African TB health service research and to the emerging field of rapid assessment methods.


CONCLUSIONS
A rapid but comprehensive review of a TBCP can be done if indicators and research methods are carefully selected and record systems are functional. If record systems are not functional, the non-record review methods still offer substantial information on many indicators and one or two quantitative indicators (e.g. case holding) could be selectively measured through reviewing a sample of records.
D000328:Adult; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D012423:Rural Health / Q000592:standards*; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D001500:BCG Vaccine