Acceptability, Feasibility and Accuracy of 99DOTS Adherence Technology in Mining Region of Tanzania

This paper aims to evaluate the accuracy, acceptability, and feasibility of the 99DOTS adherence platform on TB treatment in rural Tanzania. Urinalysis was conducted in 145 adherent patients (based on data reported on the 99DOTS platform) and 52 non-adherents to determine the accuracy of 99DOTS. A qualitative survey was administered through face-to-face interviews with 200 patients and 21 health care workers to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the platform. The positive predictive value was 95% (95% CI: 90.0, 97.6%). All health care workers (HCWs) strongly agreed that the platform served time and helped them provide better support to patients. 97.5% of patients agreed that the platform helped them to adhere and complete treatment. Patients (93%) agreed that they felt more connected to HCWs using 99DOTS. The feasibility of the technology was limited by the poor access to mobile phones and a lack of minimum credit requirement for patients to call 99DOTS platform and log their dose daily. The 99DOTS platform accurately predicts medication intake, however restructuring of the infrastructure is required to make it a easily accessible to patients to support their TB treatment.