Mweete D Nglazi|Linda?Gail Bekker|Robin Wood|Gregory Hussey|Charles Shey Wiysonge
Mobile phone text messaging for promoting adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment: a systematic review
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation|University of Cape Town|Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation|University of Cape Town|Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation|University of Cape Town|South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative|University of Cape Town|South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative|University of Cape Town
mobile phone text messaging sms potential promote adherence tuberculosis treatment systematic review aims synthesize current evidence effectiveness sms interventions improving patients adherence tuberculosis treatmentwe searched electronic databases pubmed embase science citation index reference lists relevant articles conference proceedings selected websites eligible studies available 15 february 2013 regardless language publication status two authors independently screened selected eligible studies assessed risk bias included studies resolving discrepancies discussion consensuswe identified four studies compared outcomes sms intervention group controls one four studies randomized controlled trial conducted argentina sms intervention significantly improve adherence tuberculosis treatment compared selfadministration tuberculosis treatment risk ratio rr 149 95 confidence intervals ci 090 242 one nonrandomized studies conducted south africa compared sms reminders directly observed therapy short course dots reported similar rates tuberculosis cure 6235 vs 664 treatment success 7294 vs 694 second study south africa utilized sms reminders patients delayed opening pill bottles reported increased tuberculosis cure rr 232 95 ci 160 336 smear conversion rr 162 95 ci 109 242 rates compared dots third nonrandomized study conducted kenya use sms reminders increased rates clinic attendance scheduled days compared standard care rr 156 95 ci 106 229 using grade approach rate quality evidence low mainly high risk bias heterogeneity effects across studiesthis systematic review indicates paucity highquality data effectiveness sms interventions improving patients adherence tuberculosis treatment low quality current evidence implies studies particular randomized trials subject needed interim intervention implemented outside research settings impact evaluation warranted