Effect of WhatsApp-based periodical interactive SLMs teaching and communication on TB diagnosis completion among TB contacts of TB cases in Faridabad, Haryana

Objective An Impact assessment of WhatsApp-based self-learning materials (SLMs) teaching and interactive communication on Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis completion among TB contacts. Methods A quasi-experimental one-group pre-post-test study involving 86 TB contacts selected through cluster simple random sampling across 5 TB units in Faridabad from February to April 2023. Data were collected telephonically (5–6 min) at 3 time points: 6–7 d, 27–28 d, and 55–56 d and analyzed at a P < 0.05 significance level. Paired samples t -tests and one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in this study. Results The study results showed that compared to first pre-intervention (5% [4]) the TB diagnosis completion rate increased (11% [9]/45% [33]), respectively after the first and second interventions; however, no significant difference was observed between first pre- and post-intervention ( t [84] = 1.39, P = 0.166) during (6–7/27–28 d); whereas a significant difference ( t [84] = 4.02, P < 0.001) was observed after the second post intervention (55–56 d) compared to second pre-intervention (27–28 d). Moreover, overall, over 3 time points (6–7, 27–28, 55–56 d), a significant difference ( F [2170] = 18.94, P < 0.00001) was observed pre-post intervention upon TB diagnosis completion among TB contacts. Conclusions WhatsApp-based SLMs teaching and interactive communication have proven effective in increasing TB diagnosis completion among TB contacts; hence, policymakers should promote m-health literacy, especially for TB-affected underserved populations living in remote areas, encouraging them to seek timely diagnosis and follow-up care.