Exploring nurses' perspectives on digital health implementation in childhood tuberculosis prevention in Indonesia: A qualitative study

Background Digital health has the potential to improve childhood tuberculosis (TB) prevention, but its implementation in primary healthcare remains challenging. Purpose To explore nurses' perspectives on digital health implementation in childhood tuberculosis prevention in Indonesia. Methods This study employed a qualitative descriptive design with an exploratory orientation. Thirty nurses responsible for TB programs at community health centers in Sumedang Regency were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The analysis yielded six themes reflecting nurses' perspectives on digital health implementation: (1) simplified use of digital technology, (2) inadequate digital innovation, (3) the digital divide, (4) inadequacies of digital systems in supporting childhood TB programs, (5) the need for contextual digital intervention development, and (6) the need for system and policy support for digital health implementation. Technology use was dominated by informal communication such as WhatsApp (WA). Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based initiatives were not sustained because they remained short-term trials without systematic evaluation or institutional support. Key challenges include low digital literacy, limited infrastructure, and a lack of system integration. Participants emphasized the need for simple, user-centered, integrated digital interventions supported by policy. Conclusion The use of digital health in childhood TB prevention is still in its early stages and has not yet been integrated into the healthcare system. Strengthening nurses' capacity, developing context- and user-centered interventions, and providing sustainable policy and financing support are essential to advancing the implementation and long-term integration of digital health in childhood TB prevention.