How Integrated Digital Tools Can Improve Tuberculosis Medication Adherence: A Longitudinal Study in China

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health
• Infectious Disease Management

Background:

• Poor medication adherence is a significant challenge in tuberculosis (TB) treatment.
• Digital technologies show promise for improving TB treatment outcomes.
• Limited data exists on the effectiveness of integrated digital interventions combining multiple methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive digital adherence intervention for TB patients.
• To assess the impact of an integrated platform combining WeChat, electronic medication monitors (EMMs), and manual reminders on TB medication adherence.
• To improve the accessibility and utilization of digital adherence technologies in TB care.

Main Methods:

• A digital adherence intervention platform was developed, integrating WeChat messages, EMMs, and manual reminders.
• Newly diagnosed TB patients from 10 hospitals and 220 communities were enrolled between January and June 2022.
• Patient characteristics and treatment adherence were compared across digital (WeChat, EMM) and conventional groups using logistic regression analysis.

Main Results:

• A total of 2,498 TB patients were included; 14.5% utilized digital technologies.
• The median medication rate was significantly higher in the WeChat (95.3%) and EMM (95.7%) groups versus the conventional group (83.8%).
• High adherence (≥90%) was observed in 64.7% (WeChat) and 64.5% (EMM) of patients, compared to 43.2% in the conventional group.

Conclusions:

• The integrated digital adherence intervention platform significantly enhanced medication adherence among TB patients.
• Integrating complementary digital technologies improves the accessibility and effectiveness of adherence support.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for improving TB treatment outcomes through enhanced patient compliance.