Govindasamy, DarshiniKranzer, Katharinavan Schaik, NienkeNoubary, FarzadWood, RobinWalensky, RochelleFreedberg, KennethBassett, IngridBekker, Linda-Gail2014-03-112013Govindasamy, Darshini, Katharina Kranzer, Nienke van Schaik, Farzad Noubary, Robin Wood, Rochelle P. Walensky, Kenneth A. Freedberg, Ingrid V. Bassett, and Linda-Gail Bekker. 2013. “Linkage to HIV, TB and Non-Communicable Disease Care from a Mobile Testing Unit in Cape Town, South Africa.” PLoS ONE 8 (11): e80017. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0080017.1932-6203http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11878991Background: HIV counseling and testing may serve as an entry point for non-communicable disease screening. Objectives: To determine the yield of newly-diagnosed HIV, tuberculosis (TB) symptoms, diabetes and hypertension, and to assess CD4 count testing, linkage to care as well as correlates of linkage and barriers to care from a mobile testing unit. Methods: A mobile unit provided screening for HIV, TB symptoms, diabetes and hypertension in Cape Town, South Africa between March 2010 and September 2011. The yield of newly-diagnosed cases of these conditions was measured and clients were followed-up between January and November 2011 to assess linkage. Linkage to care was defined as accessing care within one, three or six months post-HIV diagnosis (dependent on CD4 count) and one month post-diagnosis for other conditions. Clinical and socio-demographic correlates of linkage to care were evaluated using Poisson regression and barriers to care were determined. Results: Of 9,806 clients screened, the yield of new diagnoses was: HIV (5.5%), TB suspects (10.1%), diabetes (0.8%) and hypertension (58.1%). Linkage to care for HIV-infected clients, TB suspects, diabetics and hypertensives was: 51.3%, 56.7%, 74.1% and 50.0%. Only disclosure of HIV-positive status to family members or partners (RR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.04-6.3, p=0.04) was independently associated with linkage to HIV care. The main barrier to care reported by all groups was lack of time to access a clinic. Conclusion: Screening for HIV, TB symptoms and hypertension at mobile units in South Africa has a high yield but inadequate linkage. After-hours and weekend clinics may overcome a major barrier to accessing care.en-USJournal Article2014-03-1110.1371/journal.pone.0080017