PesTrapp mobile app: A trap setting application for real-time entomological field and laboratory study
Y L Cheong1, R Rosilawati2, C I Mohd-Khairuddin3
1Biomedical Museum Unit, Special Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tropical Biomedicine
|June 26, 2021
Summary
A new mobile app, PesTrapp, streamlines vector surveillance by enabling field and lab data collection for mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. This tool enhances entomological monitoring and vector control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Public Health Informatics
- Mobile Health (mHealth)
Background:
- Mosquito-borne diseases (malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya) are significant global health threats.
- Accurate vector surveillance is crucial for disease control but is often hampered by manual data management challenges.
- A centralized, efficient system for monitoring vector populations is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate "PesTrapp," a mobile application for integrated vector surveillance.
- To assess the app's usability and user experience in real-world entomological studies.
- To determine the app's potential to improve vector density index acquisition and reporting.
Main Methods:
- Development of the PesTrapp mobile app using a mobile framework and database.
- User evaluation employing the adjusted Mobile App Rating Scale and Standardized User Experience Percentile Rank Questionnaire.
- Field testing of the app for Aedes surveillance across six sites in Selangor, Malaysia, comparing data collection with and without the app.
Main Results:
- The PesTrapp app was successfully developed, detailing system design and screen layouts.
- User experience was evaluated, with an overall mean score of 4.0 out of 5 (SD=0.6), indicating user acceptance.
- Practical user experiences in Aedes surveillance highlighted the app's utility in managing field and laboratory data.
Conclusions:
- PesTrapp offers a comprehensive, one-stop solution for improving entomological surveillance processes.
- The mobile app is a valuable tool for enhancing vector control countermeasure strategies.
- The app's design and positive user assessment suggest its significant contribution to public health efforts in disease vector monitoring.
