Evaluating novel engagement mechanisms, yields and acceptability of tuberculosis screening at retail pharmacies in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Abstract

Pharmacies represent a key health system entry point for people with TB in Viet Nam, but high fragmentation hinders their broader engagement. Professional networking apps may be able to facilitate pharmacy engagement for systematic TB screening and referral. Between September and December 2019, we piloted the use of a social networking app, SwipeRx, to recruit pharmacists for a TB referral scheme across four districts of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. We measured chest X-ray (CXR) referrals and TB detection yields at participating pharmacies and fielded 100 acceptability surveys, divided into pharmacists who did and did not make a CXR referral. We then fitted mixed-effect odds proportional models to explore acceptability factors that were associated with making a CXR referral. 1,816 push notifications were sent to pharmacists via the SwipeRx app and 78 indicated their interest in participating; however, only one was within the pilot’s intervention area. Additional in-person outreach resulted in the recruitment of 146 pharmacists, with 54 (37.0%) making at least one CXR referral. A total of 182 pharmacy customers were referred, resulting in a total of 64 (35.2%) CXR screens and seven people being diagnosed with TB. Compared to pharmacists who did not make any CXR referrals, pharmacists making at least one CXR referral understood the pilot’s objectives more clearly (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2–5.8) and they believed that TB screening increased customer trust (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2–5.8), benefited their business (aOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3–6.2) and constituted a competitive advantage (aOR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.9–9.9). They were also more confident in using mHealth apps (aOR = 3.1, 95 CI%: 1.4–6.8). Pharmacies can play an important role in early and increased TB case finding. It is critical to highlight the value proposition of TB referral schemes to their business during recruitment. Digital networking platforms, such as SwipeRx, can facilitate referrals for TB screening by pharmacists, but their ability to identify and recruit pharmacists requires optimization, particularly when targeting specific segments of a nation-wide digital network.

Pharmacy engagement in TB prevention and care: not if, but how?

“…Further, a pilot initiative is underway to capture relevant patient, provider and anti-TB medication data and integrate a billing software to generate real-time information. 22 In South-East Asia, a digital networking app called 'SwipeRx' has been shown to facilitate and educate pharmacy professionals increasing referrals for TB screening, as illustrated in Viet Nam 23 and Indonesia. 23 Other countries could emulate such models to enable referral for testing and other services.…”

“…22 In South-East Asia, a digital networking app called 'SwipeRx' has been shown to facilitate and educate pharmacy professionals increasing referrals for TB screening, as illustrated in Viet Nam 23 and Indonesia. 23 Other countries could emulate such models to enable referral for testing and other services.…”