Mobile-phone-based solution for disease outbreak reporting and surveillance
Date
2014
Authors
Mutegi, Lorna Mwende
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Effective disease surveillance demands timely dissemination of information to parties
responsible for disease prevention and control to warrant necessary action. The level of
efficiency and effectiveness is dependent on the tools used for disease surveillance. The
use of traditional reporting tools, such as paper based disease case reporting tools is a
compromise to timeliness, completeness, and correctness of reported data. Mobile
applications are a revolution in efficiency to all sectors. With the current Kenyan mobile
penetration nearing 78%, there are an unprecedented opportunities that Kenya can tap to
improve the state of disease surveillance.
This study analyzes the current state of disease surveillance models in Kenya to identify
its challenges. A comprehensive investigation on previous research done in Kenya and
internationally is covered. International research focuses on the two world’s largest
economies; China and United States of America.
The key data collection instrument employed was questionnaire. The collected data was
analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. The results of
the data analysis helped inform System Analysis and Design stage and Applications
development (Mobile and Web Applications).
A USSD based mobile application was developed. This tool offers an interactive menu
based platform where users can report disease outbreaks. A web application was also
designed. This application provides information on the state of disease surveillance to
disease surveillance focal persons and the public. The application also provides a portal
via which epidemiologists or medical lab technicians can view reported disease outbreaks
and record results of the epidemiological tests carried out to confirm the outbreak. They
can also recommend prevention and control measures to take for each case. System
testing was done to ensure correctness, completeness, reliability, and usability of both
applications.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in
Mobile Telecommunication and Innovation
Keywords
Mobile solution, Disease Outbreak Reporting, Surveillance