A visual reminder chart to improve tuberculosis treatment adherence and self-management in a low-resource setting

Treatment adherence in tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings where limited health literacy contributes to poor outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a low-cost, visual reminder tool (the TB-Minder Chart) to improve patient adherence and self-management.

A single-arm pre-post intervention was conducted with 39 adult pulmonary TB patients attending a regional clinic. Participants used the TB-Minder Chart daily for 2 months to record medication intake and reflect on treatment experiences. Adherence was measured using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, and self-management was assessed using a validated TB self-management tool at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention.

Significant improvements were observed in adherence and self-management over time (P < .001). Patients reported better integration of medication into daily routines, improved recall of doses when away from home, and fewer skipped doses. Gains were most pronounced in life integration, highlighting the intervention's role in strengthening patient empowerment.

The TB-Minder Chart represents a scalable, participatory, and cost-effective health education strategy to enhance adherence and self-management in TB care. Its simplicity makes it a promising adjunct to existing programs in resource-limited health systems.