Preventing Dropouts in Tuberculosis Treatment with “Griya Bebas TBC”

Abstract

Tuberculosis, a major public health issue, has received international attention and is included in the Sustainable Development Goals. With 969,000 recorded cases in 2021, Indonesia ranked second in the world for TB cases, after only India. This is a 145,000-case increase, or 17%, from 2020, creating a significant obstacle to achieving TB eradication by 2030. Dropout cases exacerbate this challenge, impeding progress toward tuberculosis elimination. Indonesia’s treatment success rate currently stands at 83%, falling short of the 90% target. Dropouts are linked to several issues, such as patient education about tuberculosis, lost motivation, drug side effects, and access to healthcare facilities. This situation underlined the importance of comprehensive support for patients, particularly from families, government entities, and healthcare facilities, to ensure consistent motivation for continuing treatment. The main solution is the provision of patient education, psychological support, and physical condition forming the foundation for the “Griya Bebas TBC” program. This study employed a literature review to outline the program’s framework. Griya Bebas TBC establishes a supportive environment to sustain patient motivation and deliver accurate information about tuberculosis, drug side effects, and treatment procedures. The primary objective of Griya Bebas TBC is to reduce the tuberculosis patient dropout rate by offering comprehensive information and fostering a supportive environment. The program adopts two complementary approaches: group interaction via popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram and community-based approach, and individualized engagement through online health consultation applications. WhatsApp, a globally prevalent social media tool, offers a conducive platform for disseminating information to patients. Utilizing social media platforms and applications addresses issues surrounding information dissemination and healthcare facility accessibility. Health workers engaged through these platforms can provide recommendations if a patient’s condition warrants further intervention beyond consultation.