Using mobile phones to ensure that referred tuberculosis patients reach their treatment facilities: a call that makes a difference

Abstract

BackgroundOver the last decade, the availability and use of mobile phones have grown exponentially globally and in Cambodia. In the Sihanouk Hospital Centre of Hope(SHCH) in Cambodia about half of all tuberculosis patients referred out to peripheral health facilities for TB treatment initiation or continuation were lost to contact after referral ranging from 19 to 69% between 2008 and 2013. To address this, we implemented a mobile phone-based patient tracking intervention. Here, we report the number and proportion of referred TB patients who could be contacted through a mobile phone and retained in care after the introduction of mobile phone tracking.MethodsA descriptive study involving follow-up of TB patients referred out from SHCH to peripheral health facilities during May–October 2014. Standard operating procedures were used to contact individual patients and/or health facilities using a mobile phone.ResultsAmong 109 TB patients referred to peripheral health facilities, 107(98%) had access to a mobile phone of whom, 103(97%) could be contacted directly while 5(2%) were contacted through their health care providers. A total of 108(99%) of 109 referred TB patients in intervention period were thus placed on TB treatment.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary, but promising evidence that using mobile phones was accompanied with improved retention of referred TB patients compared to historical cohorts. Given the limitations associated with historical controls, we need better designed studies with larger sample size to strengthen the evidence before national scale-up.

Evaluating the Effect of Using Mobile Phone Reminders on the Adherence to Children and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Attending Outreach Appointments

“…Similar results were also found in Asia. In Cambodia, by contacting 109 patients who were referred for tuberculosis treatment, 97% attended the treatment (Choun et al, 2017). Although that study was not conducted on diabetic patients, this report is consistent with our results and indicates that mHealth interventions can be effective in enhancing treatment adherence.…”

Impact of Information and Communication Technology Diffusion on HIV and Tuberculosis Health Outcomes among African Health Systems

“…ICT infrastructure plays a critical role for TB management, particularly in coordinating case monitoring, treatment initiations, and referral mechanisms to ensure treatment adherence and completion [29]. This further corroborates findings by Choun et al (2017), who demonstrated that mobile phones with internet services facilitate TB diagnosis, referrals, and treatment monitoring among TB patients, and led to marked reductions in mortality rates among sampled patients [10]. Consequently, SMS technology and other internet-enabled treatment reminder tools provide opportunities to improve vaccination rates, strengthen service delivery, and track follow-up.…”

“…It boosts health literacy and empowers individuals to live healthy lives. Choun et al (2017) demonstrated how mobile phone technology facilitated TB diagnosis, treatment completion, and referrals among TB patients at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope, Cambodia. This mHealth strategy led to 12% decreases in mortality rates among sampled patients [10].…”

“…Choun et al (2017) demonstrated how mobile phone technology facilitated TB diagnosis, treatment completion, and referrals among TB patients at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope, Cambodia. This mHealth strategy led to 12% decreases in mortality rates among sampled patients [10]. In addition, Barnighausen et al (2011) conducted a systematic review of interventions that targeted increased antiretroviral medication adherence among HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa.…”

Does mobile phone instructional video demonstrating sputum expectoration improve the sputum sample quality and quantity in presumptive pulmonary TB cases? Protocol for a prospective pragmatic non-randomised controlled trial in Karnataka state, India

“…Owing to its large user base in India,23 mobile phones have caught the attention of public health researchers as effective tools to enhance the impact of public health programme. Mobile phone reminders either by voice call or short message services have been explored to enhance TB treatment adherence and improve the outcomes in India, Thailand, Africa, Pakistan, Malaysia and Cambodia 24–29. Smartphone apps found to be effective in data management, better patient referral and improving treatment adherence and outcome for patients with TB in India and other countries 30–32.…”