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Using mobile phone text messaging for malaria surveillance in rural Kenya
Sophie Githinji1, Samwel Kigen, Dorothy Memusi
1Malaria Public Health Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust - University of Oxford Collaborative Programme, Nairobi, Kenya. sgithinji@kemri-wellcome.org.
Malaria Journal
|March 20, 2014
Summary
The "SMS for Life" study showed mobile phone text messages can transmit malaria surveillance data promptly. However, data accuracy was suboptimal, highlighting the need for improved quality in future mobile health surveillance systems.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Informatics
- Malaria Control
Background:
- Effective surveillance systems are crucial for tracking malaria testing and treatment.
- The "SMS for Life" study piloted SMS-based data reporting in rural Kenya.
- The aim was to assess real-time data visibility and its impact on malaria case management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using SMS for transmitting malaria surveillance data.
- To determine the accuracy and timeliness of data reported via SMS.
- To assess the impact of this system on malaria case-management by district managers.
Main Methods:
- Health workers in 87 facilities sent weekly SMS reports using personal phones.
- Data included counts of four basic surveillance elements.
- Web-based system accessed by managers; data validated by cross-sectional surveys.
Main Results:
- High response rates (96%) and timeliness (87%) were achieved.
- Data accuracy was suboptimal at 58%.
- Malaria testing rates averaged 37%, with improvements in treatment ratios in some districts.
Conclusions:
- Transmitting timely surveillance data via SMS from peripheral facilities is feasible.
- The accuracy of reported data requires improvement.
- Future efforts must focus on enhancing the quality of SMS-reported surveillance data.
