Abstract
BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is global health concern and a leading infectious cause of mortality. Reversing TB incidence and disease-related mortality is a major global health priority. Infectious disease mortality is directly linked to failure to adhere to treatments. Using technology to send reminders by short message services have been shown to improve treatment adherence. However, few studies have examined tuberculosis patient perceptions and attitudes towards using SMS technology to increase treatment adherence. In this study, we sought to investigate perceptions related to feasibility and acceptability of using text messaging to improve treatment adherence among adults who were receiving treatment for TB in Callao, Peru.MethodsWe conducted focus group qualitative interviews with current TB positive and non-contagious participants to understand the attitudes, perceptions, and feasibility of using short message service (SMS) reminders to improve TB treatment adherence. Subjects receiving care through the National TB Program were recruited through public health centers in Ventanilla, Callao, Peru. In four focus groups, we interviewed 16 patients. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic network analysis and codebook techniques were used to analyze data.ResultsThree major themes emerged from the data: limits on health literacy and information posed challenges to successful TB treatment adherence, treatment motivation at times facilitated adherence to TB treatment, and acceptability of SMS including positive perceptions of SMS to improve TB treatment adherence. The majority of patients shared considerations about how to effectively and confidentially administer an SMS intervention with TB positive participants.ConclusionThe overall perceptions of the use of SMS were positive and indicated that SMS technology may be an efficient way to transmit motivational texts on treatment, health education information, and simple reminders to increase treatment adherence for low-income TB patients living in Peru.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) is global health concern and a leading infectious cause of mortality
In order to address the high incidence of TB, the Peruvian government has adopted the strategy launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) called DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy – Short Course)
Patients who do not complete treatment are more likely to relapse or die and are vulnerable to the development of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB), which can be transmitted to new cases
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is global health concern and a leading infectious cause of mortality. In order to address the high incidence of TB, the Peruvian government has adopted the strategy launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) called DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy – Short Course). This strategy requires patients with TB to establish and adhere to a rigid 6-month daily administered treatment regimen. This strategy has achieved success rates of more than 85% in TB patients, it has not been effective at achieving WHO targets and TB remains a major public health concern in Peru [3]. Given the importance of treatment success, it is necessary to support the DOTS strategy with the addition of innovative components to increase program effectiveness in treating infectious disease among Peruvians [4,5]
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