Feasibility of Real-Time Mobile Phone Case Notification by Village Malaria Workers in Rural Myanmar: A Mixed Methods Study

Pyae Linn Aung,Than Naing Soe,Tepanata Pumpaibool,Myat Phone Kyaw

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v11n1p103

Pyae Linn Aung, Than Naing Soe + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v11n1p103

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Abstract

Malaria burden has markedly decreased in Myanmar and is on course for elimination by 2030. Interrupting of local transmission is essential, and timely notification within 24 hours of disease occurrence by frontline village malaria workers (VMWs) is a crucial initial component of timely follow-up by response teams. Here we studied the feasibility of real-time case notification using mobile phones among VMWs in the remote Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. A structured quantitative and qualitative questionnaire was used for data collection after implementing the intervention for six months between May and October 2018. Ten VMWs from the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) in ten scattered villages from the township were randomly recruited and given one day of on-site training on reporting methods and how to use their own mobile phone. VMWs received 5,000MMK (approximately 3USD) per month remuneration. The baseline demographics of VMWs were not significantly different. Twenty-four out of 25 (96%) malaria patients were notified within 24 hours by the ten VMWs during the study period. All submitted information were said to be complete and correct. VMWs suggested the system as simple and acceptable despite some challenges. In the qualitative study, almost all VMWs were satisfied with the system and willing to use it in the future. This mobile phone reporting system is more efficient and easier to use than other more complicated online mobile applications. However, only a few indicators can be submitted using this approach and the system cannot be used in areas without network coverage.

Highlights

Despite markedly decreasing trends of both malaria morbidity and mortality, in 2016, around 43 millions of people are still living in 291 malaria endemic townships out of 330 in Myanmar
We studied the feasibility of real-time case notification using mobile phones among village malaria workers (VMWs) in the remote Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar
Majority of the respondents are educated at the primary school level (70.0%), and while all the VMWs possess a mobile phone, 90% are using smart phone

Summary

Introduction

Despite markedly decreasing trends of both malaria morbidity and mortality, in 2016, around 43 millions of people are still living in 291 malaria endemic townships out of 330 in Myanmar. Once a local case of malaria has been found and notified, a focus investigation is carried out by malaria staff within 72 hours (3 days) to describe the locality where malaria occurred for determining the underlying causes of ongoing transmission, and rapid measures (responses) should be applied in a given focus as early as possible but not later than 7 days to interrupt transmission and prevent its further spread (Cao et al, 2014; Feng et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2017) This particular can be handled by a township level malaria rapid response team (DOPH, 2016; WHO, 2012). Some kinds of smart phone based reporting system like DHIS-II and M-health have been introducing in Myanmar since 2017, overall coverage area is still low as in pilot stage and acceptability among providers is still trying to encourage (DOPH, 2016)

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