Community-Based Healthcare Model for Tuberculosis Prevention and Care in Johannesburg Informal Settlements: Six-Month Evaluation

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in Johannesburg's informal settlements, where access to healthcare services is limited and fragmented. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from health facility records with qualitative insights gathered through focus group discussions and interviews. The intervention resulted in an 18% reduction in new TB cases compared to baseline levels (95% CI: -23%, -13%). Focus groups highlighted improved patient adherence and community engagement as key strengths of the model. While promising, further evaluation is needed to confirm sustainability and broader impact. Communities should be actively involved in planning and delivery of healthcare services to ensure long-term success. Treatment effect was estimated with logit (pᵢ) =₀+^ Xᵢ, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.