Current status and future prospects of TB digital treatment adherence technology use in China

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Digital treatment adherence technologies (DATs) have been recommended by the Chinese National Tuberculosis Programme since 2015. However, until now the extent to which DATs have been adopted in China remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to understand the current status and future prospects of DAT use in China.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to collect data from all 2,884 county-level TB-designated institutions across China using a quantitative questionnaire and extraction of information from the Chinese TB information management system. Data were collected between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021.RESULTS: All of the 2,884 county-level TB-designated institutions responded to the questionnaire. We found that the utilisation rate of DATs in China was 21.5% (n = 620). Among those using DATs, the uptake of DATs among TB patients was 31.0%. Lack of financial, policy and technology support were the main barriers to adoption and scale up DATs at the institution level.CONCLUSIONS: The use of DATs is in an early stage in China; however, the number of institutions who offer DATs have increased significantly after July 2020. To facilitate the use of DATs, the national TB programme should provide more financial, policy and technology support, and a national guideline is required.