The effect of weekly text-message communication on treatment completion among patients with latent tuberculosis infection: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (WelTel LTBI).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Interventions to improve adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are necessary to improve treatment completion rates and optimise tuberculosis (TB) control efforts. The high prevalence of cell phone use presents opportunities to develop innovative ways to engage patients in care. A randomised controlled trial (RCT), WelTel Kenya1, demonstrated that weekly text messages improved antiretroviral adherence and clinical outcomes among patients initiating HIV treatment. The aim of this study is to determine whether the WelTel intervention can improve treatment completion among patients with LTBI and to evaluate the intervention's cost-effectiveness.

Methods and analysis

This open, two-site, parallel RCT (WelTel LTBI) will be conducted at TB cli

SUBMITTER: van der Kop ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3987735 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature