Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors on Utilizing Mobile Health Technology for TB in Indonesia: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) infections remain a global health burden with a high incidence rate in South-East Asia, including Indonesia. TB control strategy is founded on early case detection and complete treatment to minimize transmission and prevent the emergence of drug resistance. However, many patients face challenges to comply with daily medication, causing many to adhere inconsistently or stop prematurely. Technological solutions could enhance adherence to treatment and support national screening and follow-up policies. These include telephone video communication, enabling health professionals to watch patients take their medication, address patients' concerns, and provide advice and support. This manuscript describes the outcome of a qualitative pilot study, based on a series of focus group discussions to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, on the potential utilization of mobile technology for health purposes with a particular focus on TB treatment follow-up. The findings illustrate that general knowledge of mobile health technologies, of their legal framework of operations, and of their exact potential within the healthcare system is incomplete or poor. The novel findings are as follows: (a) the willingness of participants to learn about these technologies, (b) the open and welcoming attitude toward receiving such information even within frontline community settings, and (c) the willingness to back a government-supported, healthcare-driven set of such initiatives. Potential implementation barriers have also been highlighted. This study is an important first step toward understanding the attitudes and behaviors on utilizing mobile health technology for TB in Indonesia.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Tuberculosis in Indonesia: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study

“…According to a previous preliminary qualitative study, the respondents were willing to receive relevant education about a new intervention to improve TB treatment and expressed their willingness to endorse the government’s health promotion initiatives. 31 Regarding perception, almost half of the participants (45%) feel uncomfortable around people with TB. This is similar with the findings in Ghana wherein the community also pointed out that TB patients should not be seen in the community nor allowed to attend any public function because they can infect others.…”

Design and prototype of TOMO: an app for improving drug resistant TB treatment adherence

“…It has been explained in previous studies that patients have lower adherence to completion of treatment when they have had negative treatment experiences. 33 These include substantial travel time to get access to care, missed earning time because they have to spend a lot of time at the healthcare facilities, and other expenses by the patients and family who accompanied patient to the facilities. TOMO is developed to be the solution to these difficult situations by functioning as a communication platform which can connect patients directly with their case managers and attending physicians.…”

Mobile Health Upaya Peningkatan Kepatuhan Pengobatan Pasien Anak dengan Tuberkulosis : Tinjauan Literatur

“…Di Indonesia, dengan jumlah populasi yang besar dan tersebar di area yang menantang secara geografis, hal tersebut bukanlah pilihan yang realistis. Oleh karena itu, solusi teknologi harus diterapkan untuk meningkatkan kebijakan skrining, pengobatan, dan tindak lanjut nasional (Aisyah et al, 2020).…”

“…Studi yang dilakukan oleh Aisyah et al (2020) di Indonesia, bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi area prioritas yang relevan secara lokal di mana para peserta berasumsi bahwa penerapan teknologi m-health akan memiliki dampak yang baik dan mengurangi beban penyakit di masyarakat. Temuan pada studi ini menggambarkan bahwa pengetahuan umum tentang teknologi m-health, kerangka hukum, dan potensi pengembangan dalam sistem perawatan kesehatan masih kurang baik.…”