Combating tuberculosis: barriers to widespread non-governmental organisation involvement in community-based tuberculosis treatment in South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To explore barriers to indigenous non-governmental organisation (NGO) involvement in community-based tuberculosis treatment delivery in high incidence areas.


METHODS
Qualitative study comprising in-depth interviews with key informants in non-government organisations and the formal health sector. Participant observation and documentary review methods were also employed.


METHODS
Six non-governmental organisations involved in community-based tuberculosis care delivery in South Africa.


METHODS
Directors and Programme Managers of organisations and formal health sector personnel involved in tuberculosis control.


RESULTS
Four major barriers were identified. Lack of adequate funding was the central issue linked to most of the other barriers identified, which included lack of adequate collaboration, competition, and a paucity of human resources.


CONCLUSIONS
While indigenous non-governmental organisations face significant barriers to involvement in TB care delivery, on their part there is a need for closer collaboration of efforts as well as a more rigorous approach towards monitoring and evaluation of their contribution in order to fully realise their potential. Government and other external funders also need to increase their commitment to ensuring greater participation of these organisations in high TB incidence areas.
Kironde
S
S
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Health Sciences, Oxford University, UK. skironde@hotmail.com
Nasolo
J
J
D002202:Capital Financing; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009938:Organizations; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*