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Understanding mSOS: A qualitative study examining the implementation of a text-messaging outbreak alert system in rural Kenya
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, PLoS ONE, Vol 12, Iss 6, p e0179408 (2017)
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Outbreaks of epidemic diseases pose serious public health risks. To overcome the hurdles of sub-optimal disease surveillance reporting from the health facilities to relevant authorities, the Ministry of Health in Kenya piloted mSOS (mobile SMS-based disease outbreak alert system) in 2013±2014. In this paper, we report the results of the qualitative study, which examined factors that influence the performances of mSOS implementation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 disease surveillance coordinators and 32 in-charges of rural health facilities that took part in the mSOS intervention. Drawing from the framework analysis, dominant themes that emerged from the interviews are presented. All participants voiced their excitement in using mSOS. The results showed that the technology was well accepted, easy to use, and both health workers and managers unanimously recommended the scale-up of the system despite challenges encountered in the implementation processes. The most challenging components were the context in which mSOS was implemented, including the lack of strong existing structure for continuous support supervision, feedback and response action related to disease surveillance. The study revealed broader health systems issues that should be addressed prior to and during the intervention scaleup.<br />PLOS ONE, 12(6), e0179408; 2017
- Subjects :
- Rural Population
Viral Diseases
Epidemiology
Health Care Providers
lcsh:Medicine
Nurses
Disease Outbreaks
Geographical Locations
0302 clinical medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Public and Occupational Health
030212 general & internal medicine
lcsh:Science
Qualitative Research
Disease surveillance
Multidisciplinary
030503 health policy & services
Rural health
Public relations
Qualitative Studies
3. Good health
Professions
Infectious Diseases
Social system
Research Design
Engineering and Technology
Public Health
0305 other medical science
Research Article
Neglected Tropical Diseases
medicine.medical_specialty
Equipment
Context (language use)
Disease Surveillance
Research and Analysis Methods
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
03 medical and health sciences
medicine
Humans
Communication Equipment
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Text Messaging
business.industry
Public health
lcsh:R
Communication in Health Care
Tropical Diseases
Kenya
Health Care
Intervention (law)
People and Places
Africa
Optometry
lcsh:Q
Population Groupings
Business
Health Facilities
Cell Phones
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b8bc5309c1883093cd311174a96dc881