SmartTB: An innovative digital data-driven platform for enhancing tuberculosis treatment monitoring in Tanzania

Abstract

Tuberculosis is known to be a killer disease in Tanzania. Despite this, deaths can be reduced if patients are diagnosed early and receive treatment. The treatment duration is extended, and patients are required to visit healthcare clinics regularly for medication procedures. Ensuring proper observation of treatment procedures is essential for successful outcomes. In Tanzania, TB treatment is provided free of charge to curb transmission and prevent drug resistance. However, many TB patients discontinue treatment due to forgetting clinic visits on scheduled dates. To address this challenge, an innovative digital data-driven TB treatment monitoring platform called SmartTB has been developed. SmartTB serves as a reminder for patients' treatment schedules and offers real-time reporting. This study utilized the agile methodology to gather requirements from three Tanzanian hospitals and develop the system. User acceptance testing validated the system's performance, demonstrating its capability to support TB patients' treatment monitoring and data management. Nevertheless, SmartTB has not been launched for operational use, necessitating effective cooperation from stakeholders, including healthcare providers and policymakers, to ensure its integration into the country's healthcare system