Does Phone Messaging Improves Tuberculosis Treatment Success? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal BMC Infect Dis

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2020 Jan 16

PMID 31937260

Citations 15

Authors

Kassahun Dessie Gashu

Kassahun Alemu Gelaye

Zeleke Abebaw Mekonnen

Richard Lester

Binyam Tilahun

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Compliance to anti-TB treatment is crucial in achieving cure and avoiding the emergence of drug resistance. Electronic health (eHealth) interventions are included in the strategy to end the global Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2035. Evidences showed that mobile messaging systems could improve patient adherence to clinic appointment for diagnosis and treatment. This review aimed to assess the effect of mobile-phone messaging on anti-TB treatment success.

Methods: All randomized controlled trial (RCT) and quasi-experimental studies done prior to August 26, 2019 were included in the review. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and ScienceDirect databases including, grey and non-indexed literatures from Google and Google scholar. Quality of studies were independently assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. A qualitative synthesis and quantitative pooled estimation were used to measure the effect of phone messaging on TB treatment success rate. PRISMA flow diagrams were used to summarize article selection process.

Results: A total of 1237 articles were identified, with 14 meeting the eligibility criteria for qualitative synthesis. Eight studies with a total of 5680 TB patients (2733 in intervention and 2947 in control groups) were included in meta-analysis. The pooled effect of mobile-phone messaging revealed a small increase in treatment success compared to standard of care (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.06), with low heterogeneity (I = 7%, p < 0.0002). In the review, performance, detection and attrition biases were reported as major risk of biases.

Conclusions: Mobile-phone messaging showed a modest effect in improving anti-TB treatment success; however, the quality of evidence was low. Further controlled studies are needed to increase the evidence-base on the role of mHealth interventions to improve TB care.

Protocol Registration Number: CRD420170744339. http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42017074439.

Citing Articles

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Ayalew T, Gashu K, Jemere A, Baykemagn N BMC Public Health. 2025; 25(1):203.

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The impact of information and communication technology on immunisation and immunisation programmes in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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Telemedicine as a tool to prevent multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in poor resource settings: Lessons from Nigeria.

Olowoyo K, Esan D, Adeyanju B, Olawade D, Oyinloye B, Olowoyo P J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis. 2024; 35:100423.

PMID: 38435000 PMC: 10907208. DOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2024.100423.

Healthcare professionals' intention to adopt mobile phone-based SMS and its predictors for adherence support and care of TB patients in a resource-limited setting: a structural equation modelling analysis.

Walle A, Hunde M, Demsash A BMJ Open. 2023; 13(12):e070813.

PMID: 38149411 PMC: 10711927. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070813.

The feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of real-time monitors and SMS on tuberculosis medication adherence in southwestern Uganda: Findings from a mixed methods pilot randomized controlled trial.

Musiimenta A, Tumuhimbise W, Atukunda E, Mugaba A, Musinguzi N, Muzoora C PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023; 3(12):e0001813.

PMID: 38051699 PMC: 10697590. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001813.

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