The Use of Mobile Electronic Devices for Public Health Data Collection and Syndromic Surveillance at the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces

Authors

Rashid Ansumana
Alfred S. Bockarie
P Sankoh
Kathryn H. Jacobsen, University of RichmondFollow
A B. Koroma
A P. Melanoski
K A. Meehan
T Leski
D H. Jimmy
U Bangura
F Sahr
B Lin
D A. Stenger

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2013

Abstract

Public health data collection methods in Sierra Leone were compared. First, a household health census was conducted with some interviewers using paper-based forms requiring later data entry and others using tablet computers for immediate electronic data inputting. Electronic data-entry surveys were more time-efficient and accurate than paper-based surveys. In a second evaluation, military Medical Inspection rooms (MIRs) sent syndromic surveillance reports to a central communications hub via cell phone or paper-based forms. The report compliance rate was 89% for daily SMS and 100% for weekly SMS versus 76% for weekly paper reports. Electronic data collection and reporting is feasible and cost-efficient in low-resource settings.

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2013, African Journals Online.

Recommended Citation

Ansumana R, Bockarie AS, Sankoh P, Jacobsen KH, Koroma AB, Malanoski AP, Meehan KA, Leski T, Jimmy DH, Bangura U, Sahr F, Lin B, Stenger DA. The use of mobile electronic devices for public health data collection and syndromic surveillance at the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Sierra Leone Journal of Biomedical Research. 2013 June; 5(1): 9–14.