scholarly journals Prevalence of Schistosoma Haematobium Measured by a Mobile Health System in an Unexplored Endemic Region in the Subprefecture of Torrock, Chad

10.2196/13359 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e13359
Author(s):  
Didier Lalaye ◽  
Mirjam E de Bruijn ◽  
Tom PVM de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Schistosoma Haematobium ◽  
Endemic Region

scholarly journals Prevalence of Schistosoma Haematobium Measured by a Mobile Health System in an Unexplored Endemic Region in the Subprefecture of Torrock, Chad (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Lalaye ◽  
Mirjam E de Bruijn ◽  
Tom PVM de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Schistosoma Haematobium ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Medical Doctor ◽  
Digenetic Trematode ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Endemic Region

BACKGROUND Schistosoma haematobium is a parasitic digenetic trematode responsible for schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia). The disease is caused by penetration of the skin by the parasite, spread by intermediate host molluscs in stagnant waters, and can be treated by administration of praziquantel. Schistosomiasis is considered to be an important but neglected tropical disease. OBJECTIVE The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the subprefecture of Torrock, an endemic area in Chad where no earlier investigation had been conducted and no distribution system for pharmacotherapy has ever existed. METHODS This study examined 1875 children aged 1 to 14 years over a period of 1 year. After centrifugation, urine examination was performed by a direct microscopic investigation for eggs. The investigation was conducted with a mobile health (mHealth) approach, using short message service (SMS) for communication among parents, local health workers, a pharmacist, and a medical doctor. An initial awareness campaign requested parents to have their children examined for schistosomiasis. Urine was then collected at home by the parents following the SMS request. Urine results that proved positive were sent to a medical doctor by SMS, who in turn ordered a pharmacist by SMS to distribute praziquantel to the infected children. RESULTS Direct microscopic examination of urine found 467 positive cases (24.9% of the total sample). Of all male and female samples, 341 (34%) and 127 (14.4%) samples were positive, respectively. The infection rate was equally distributed over age groups. The newly developed mHealth system had a limited level of participation (8%) from an estimated total of 25,000 children in the target group. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of schistosomiasis in children in the subprefecture of Torrock is moderately high. Efforts will be required to enhance the awareness of parents and to reach a larger percentage of the population. Systematic governmental measures should be put in place as soon as possible to increase awareness in the area and to diagnose and treat cases of schistosomiasis.

scholarly journals Impact of a Mobile Health System on the Suppression of Schistosoma Haematobium in Chad

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Lalaye ◽  
Mirjam E. de Bruijn ◽  
Tom P. V. M. de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Schistosoma Haematobium ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Urogenital Schistosomiasis ◽  
Urinary Schistosomiasis ◽  
Health Infrastructure ◽  
Health Area ◽  
Qualified Personnel

This study determined the contribution of a mobile health (M-health) system to the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium in a region of Chad where S. haematobium is endemic. M-health involves the use of a mobile phone for health care. The study compared the prevalence of schistosomiasis in an area with an M-health system, newly installed in 2014, with an area without an adequate health infrastructure. Data were gathered after the M-health system had been running for 3 years. We took urine samples from children age 1 to 15 years, for a total of 200 children in a village in the M-health area and 200 in a village in a non-M-health area. Urine was checked for urinary schistosomiasis by using dipsticks for microhematuria and, in cases of positive dipstick results, microscopy was used to detect eggs. Comparison between the areas allowed us to assess the effectiveness of the installed M-health system after 3 years of operation. Based on dipstick outcomes, the non-M-health area had an infection rate of 51.5% compared with 29% in the M-health area. Microscopy results in non-M-health and M-health were 27.5% and 21%, respectively. The dipstick result difference between M-health and non-M-health areas was statistically significant. Dipsticks were more reliable than microscopy for the detection of schistosomiasis, especially in areas without qualified personnel. Based on these results, M-health proved its ability to reduce the infection rate of urogenital schistosomiasis, and the implementation of M-health shows great promise in areas where this disease is endemic and where no mass drug administration is provided.

scholarly journals mDurance: A Novel Mobile Health System to Support Trunk Endurance Assessment

Sensors ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 13159-13183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oresti Banos ◽  
Jose Moral-Munoz ◽  
Ignacio Diaz-Reyes ◽  
Manuel Arroyo-Morales ◽  
Miguel Damas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Mobile Health

scholarly journals The Feasibility of a Using a Smart Button Mobile Health System to Self-Track Medication Adherence and Deliver Tailored Short Message Service Text Message Feedback

10.2196/13558 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e13558
Author(s):  
Rebecca J Bartlett Ellis ◽  
James H Hill ◽  
K Denise Kerley ◽  
Arjun Sinha ◽  
Aaron Ganci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Health System ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Short Message Service ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Short Message ◽  
Message Service

scholarly journals Lightweight Sharable and Traceable Secure Mobile Health System

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Ximeng Liu ◽  
Robert H. Deng ◽  
Yingjiu Li
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Mobile Health

A Mobile Health System to Empower Healthcare Services in Remote Regions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno M. C. Silva ◽  
Joel J. P. C. Rodrigues ◽  
Andre Ramos ◽  
Kashif Saleem ◽  
Isabel de la Torre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Healthcare Services

scholarly journals A Patient-Centered Mobile Health System That Supports Asthma Self-Management (breathe): Design, Development, and Utilization (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Plinio Pelegrini Morita ◽  
Melanie S Yeung ◽  
Madonna Ferrone ◽  
Ann K Taite ◽  
Carole Madeley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Peak Flow ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Physician Visits

BACKGROUND Uncontrolled asthma poses substantial negative personal and health system impacts. Web-based technologies, including smartphones, are novel means to enable evidence-based care and improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to design, develop, and assess the utilization of an asthma collaborative self-management (CSM) platform (breathe) using content based on international evidence-based clinical guidelines. METHODS We designed and developed breathe as a Web-based mobile health (mHealth) platform accessible on smartphones, tablets, or desktop with user-centered design methods and International Organization for Standardization–certified quality development processes. Moreover, breathe was envisioned as a multifunctional, CSM mHealth platform, with content based on international clinical practice guidelines and compliant with national privacy and security specifications. The system enabled CSM (patient, provider, and breathe) and self-monitoring of asthma patients through (1) assessment of asthma control, (2) real-time access to a dynamic asthma action plan, (3) access to real-time environmental conditions, and (4) risk-reduction messaging. The data collection protocol collected user data for 12 months, with clinic visits at baseline and 6 and 12 months. Utilization outcomes included user interactions with the platform, user impressions, self-reported medication use, asthma symptom profile, reported peak flow measurement, and the delivery and impact of email reminders. RESULTS We enrolled 138 patients with a mean age of 45.3 years to receive the breathe intervention. Majority were female (100/138, 72.5%), had a smartphone (92/138, 66.7%), and had a mean Asthma Control Test score of 18.3 (SD 4.9). A majority reported that breathe helped in the management of their asthma. Moreover, breathe scored 71.1 (SD 18.9) on the System Usability Scale. Overall, 123 patients had complete usage analytics datasets. The platform sent 7.96 reminder emails per patient per week (pppw), patients accessed breathe 3.08 times, journaled symptoms 2.56 times, reported medication usage 0.30 times, and reported peak flow measurements 0.92 times pppw. Furthermore, breathe calculated patients’ action plan zone of control 2.72 times pppw, with patients being in the green (well-controlled) zone in 47.71% (8300/17,396) of the total calculations. Usage analysis showed that 67.5% (83/123) of the participants used the app at week 4 and only 57.7% (71/123) by week 45. Physician visits, email reminders, and aged 50 years and above were associated with higher utilization. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with asthma reported good usability and high satisfaction levels, reacted to breathe notifications, and had confidence in the platform’s assessment of asthma control. Strong utilization was seen at the intervention’s initiation, followed by a rapid reduction in use. Patient reminders, physician visits, and being aged 50 years and above were associated with higher utilization. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01964469; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01964469

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