Use of Mobile Phone and Facility-based Server Technology in Routine Immunization and Disease Surveillance Activities in Nigeria: Strengthening Polio Surveillance

Abstract

Nigeria is one of the world’s most susceptible countries, suffering from poor routine immunization, diseases surveillance gaps, and weak health systems as most sub-Saharan African countries. This study’s objective is to document and assess the use of mobile phone and facility-based server technology in the supportive supervision of routine immunization and disease surveillance activities in Nigeria. Cross-sectional and systematic approaches were used to carry out technical and feasibility tests in the six zonal 2014. offices (Kano, Rivers, Enugu, Oyo, Bauchi, and Minna) of the country between December2014 to June 2017. Good quality data on a threshold of 98% on receipt from the field and near real-time data submission of 5 hours was achieved. The results showed a significant improvement over the paper-based collection processes and this was realized within a secured data collation environment with optimum timeliness, security and quality control. The study concluded that the premise-based activities across the Country at the lowest level. server is cost effective compared to total cloud cost over 5 years.Visualizations on the facility based server have ensured has been playing pivotal roles in supporting the ability to triangulate real-time data withdashboards for every day follow-up of data from the field which can be very useful in emergencies and outbreak responses. The real time feedback capability has greatly improved identified core indicators by showing transparently the immunization monitoring chart status and missed Acute Flaccid Paralyses cases respectively at health facility level.