Use of Smartphone-Based Video Directly Observed Therapy to Increase Tuberculosis Medication Adherence: An Interventional Study

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment through Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) has an alternative form of video surveillance therapy (VOT) that utilizes the technological capabilities of smartphones to provide patients with low-cost access to doctors without impacting their work and personal life. We aimed to assess TB patients’ drug compliance, perceptions, and feasibility towards smartphone-based video direct observed therapy (VDOT) in Jeddah, KSA. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective non-randomized interventional study. We delivered smartphone-based VDOT among previously unstudied patients to monitor adherence to the treatment regimen. The expected total number of VDOT sessions was1200. We conducted post-intervention interviews to assess acceptability and satisfaction. Results: In this study, we included 20 participants, 16 of whom were males, with a mean age of 34.3 (±12.5) years. No side effects to the treatments were identified in all participants. The adherence rate for the total period was 93% and 99.5%, measured by the first and second methods, respectively. Most participants were satisfied with the VDOT experience, the time spent on sessions, and the approach’s privacy. Conclusion: This study provides promising results for the feasibility and effectiveness of smartphone-based VDOT for TB treatment to increase adherence which was indicated by a high compliance rate, acceptability, and high satisfaction level.