Public health services information dissemination platform: case of Machakos County
Date
2016
Authors
Ndanu, Mualuko Purity
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Accessing public health services information for a majority of people in the sub-Saharan
region has been marked with numerous challenges. Key of these include undeveloped
structural support systems and technological issues. There is a major problem faced by
patients and their families in accessing public health services information due the current
platforms used to disseminate the information. Technological issues such as use of banners
to convey public health service information have challenges including, the banners are torn
down and in some instances get rained on thus limiting the number of people who can access
the health service information. This study aims to come up with a public health services
information dissemination platform using USSD technology. The USSD application will be
integrated with analytical back-end for presenting summary of health services requested by
the users. Agile software methodology was used which allowed faster iteration and more
frequent release with subsequent user feedback. The advantages of the implemented system
is that USSD works on both smartphones and low end phones. USSD also works on phones
which are not connected to the internet. The system will be of great help to both users with
smartphones and low-end phones. Users will get public information regarding the health
services information near their area of location.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Mobile Telecommunication and Innovation (MSc. MTI)
Keywords
Public Health Services, Public Health, Information Dissemination, Information, Machakos County, Information Dissemination Platform, Public information, Health Services, USSD, Disseminate