Effectiveness of Mobile Application to Improve Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment: A Study Protocol
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.6.45
- Author:
Mohd Fazeli Sazali
1
,
2
;
Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim
1
;
Richard Avoi
1
;
Nooralisa Mohd Tuah
3
;
Roddy Teo
1
,
2
;
Meryl Grace Lansing
2
Author Information
1. Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88450, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia&
2. Ministry of Health Malaysia, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62590 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia
3. Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88450, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Other Types
- Keywords:
Tuberculosis, Medication adherence, Digital adherence technology, Health belief model, Direct observed therapy
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.6):347-354
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent. The disease is treatable
by a minimum of six months of anti-TB drugs. However, prolonged duration of treatment using directly observed
therapy (DOT) causes significant inconvenience to patients and is ineffective in improving treatment outcomes.
Therefore, incorporating the Health Belief Model into the development of digital technology could help change
behaviour and improve adherence. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mobile applications in improving TB medication adherence. Methods: This study proposed to conduct a randomized trial among TB patients
in the Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and Putatan districts of Sabah, Malaysia. The eligible sample will be randomly
assigned to the mobile application DOT arm and standard DOT arm. The primary outcome is the adherence level
calculated by the percentage of medication observed divided by the intended dose taken in two months, with 80%
and more successfully observed treatment considered highly adherent. The secondary outcomes are health-related
quality of life, satisfaction, and monthly household income. Multiple logistic regression and repeated measures
ANCOVA will be used to determine the effectiveness of interventions to achieve primary and secondary outcomes.
Discussion: The findings from this study could hopefully provide insight into rethinking TB care delivery to achieve
better TB treatment outcomes. Trial Registration: This study protocol has been approved by the Medical Research
Ethics Committee (MREC), Ministry of Health Malaysia (NMRR ID-21-01949-73X) and registered with ClinicalTrials.
gov (NCT05259254).
- Full text:11.2023my1699.pdf
