The Usability and Impact of Mobile Health Applications on Tuberculosis treatment regimen: A Systematic Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tuberculosis remains the major public health problem worldwide. including in Indonesia. Adherence to the therapeutic regimen is one of the indicators in the TB management. However, drop-out among those undergoing TB therapeutic regimen was found to be high. This study aims to review published articles on the usefulness of mobile health apps on adherence to TB treatment regimens and in healthcare workers. Method: This systematic review applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guideline. The results was reported in descriptive narrative approach. The following data bases; Scopus, Pubmed, and Proquest were comprehensively searched to find articles from January, 1st 2018 to December 31st 2023. Inclusion was made to English and full-text articles. Results: Fourteen (14) articles were yielded. A total of 2.408 TB sufferers and health workers use the mobile health application. Findings on the impacts of the usability of mobile health application on the adherence of TB’s treatment regimen: TB sufferers mostly use mobile health to access information about TB via SMS (Short Message Service), WhatsApp messenger, voice or telephone calls, A video-observed therapy (VOT), or using a toll-free mobile health modification, namely 99DOTS. Conclusions: Mobile health application tended to benefits people living TB. The findings of the study emphasize the importance of mobile health application on TB management. Mobile health apps increase patient’s motivation to adhere to the recommended regimen as one of the key used the TB management strategies.   Keyword: Tuberculosis, Mobile health, Treatment, Adherence, Nursing informatics