Mobile health clinics have emerged as a critical intervention in South Africa's tuberculosis (TB) control efforts, particularly in underserved urban and peri-urban townships. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews with community members and quantitative data from clinic records to assess treatment adherence rates and barriers to care access. Mobile clinics significantly improved adherence by providing more convenient appointments and reduced travel distances for patients. A notable finding was that mobile clinics increased adherence rates by up to 20% among their target population, particularly those living in remote areas. The integration of mobile health clinics into TB treatment programmes enhances patient engagement and access to care, contributing positively to overall public health outcomes. Policy recommendations include expanding the mobile clinic network to cover more underserved townships and integrating telehealth services for follow-up consultations post-treatment initiation.
Nxaba et al. (2012) studied this question.