“Effect and implementation factors of a contextually adapted short message service or phone call intervention to reduce loss to follow-up among presumptive TB patients in Central Uganda.”
Country of Study
Uganda
Institution
Makerere University
Expected Year of Completion
2026
Thematic Area
Health and Life Sciences/ IT
Education
Rebecca holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Makerere University in Uganda, which she completed in January 2018. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at Makerere University. Rebecca has completed her coursework and successfully defended her research proposal. She is expected to complete her PhD in January 2026. She currently works as a Research Associate at the Makerere University School of Public Health.
Research Summary
Rebecca’s research focuses on addressing the critical issue of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among presumptive tuberculosis (TB) patients before completing diagnosis in Central Uganda. Despite existing interventions, a study in Uganda showed a pre-diagnosis LTFU of 40.7%, indicating a significant gap in the TB care cascade. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation factors of a contextually adapted mobile health intervention, using SMS or phone calls, to reduce LTFU. The research includes three sub-studies: exploring stakeholder perceptions, piloting the intervention through a randomized controlled trial, and conducting a qualitative process evaluation to identify factors influencing its implementation. The results aim to inform policy and improve TB diagnosis completion, contributing to the WHO’s End TB strategy and supporting the integration of technology into health systems for better service delivery.
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