Impact of Mobile Health Interactive Software on Tuberculosis Outcomes; The Call for Life (CFLU-TB) Project

This study will be an open-label Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to determine the effect of Call for Life TB (CFLU-TB) on Tuberculosis (TB) treatment success in patients with non-drug resistant Tuberculosis receiving care at three public health facilities, Kisenyi Health Centre IV, Kasangati Health Centre IV and Kiryandongo government Hospital. Call for Life TB will employ a mobile health Health technology called CONNECT FOR LIFE™ to provide SMS or Interactive Voice Response patient support. This support will be in the form of clinic appointment, daily pill reminders, reminders, health tips and an opportunity to report symptoms which are responded to by a call from study doctors. Collectively, 274 patients will be randomized (1:1ratio) to Intervention Arm (daily adherence calls, a pre-appointment reminder call, health tips and 24hr symptom reporting) or Standard of care (standard practice according to the national guidelines for TB treatment). Call for Life TB will also provide for Treatment supporters of patients on the Intervention Arm to be co-registered onto the system so as to enhance Directly Observed Treatment (DOTS). Participants will be followed up for 6 months and observational data collected at several points. Data on sociodemographics, treatment response/outcome determined at 2 and at the end of treatment. Investigators shall conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In- Depth Interviews (IDIs) with patients and clinic staff respectively, on ease of use, acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention. Investigators will use system data to assess uptake and adherence to the tool. Investigators shall determine differences in the proportions of patients with treatment success in the two arms. Additionally, investigators shall assess adherence to medication, TB cure rates and treatment completion. Investigators shall qualitatively determine, perception, acceptability, and satisfaction with CFLU-TB. As a measure of cost-effectiveness, investigato