TY - JOUR
T1 - Potential for a web-based management information system to improve malaria control
T2 - An exploratory study in the Lahat District, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia
AU - Hasyim, Hamzah
AU - Firdaus, Firdaus
AU - Prabawa, Artha
AU - Dale, Pat
AU - Harapan, Harapan
AU - Groneberg, David A.
AU - Kuch, Ulrich
AU - Müller, Ruth
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Hasyim et al.
PY - 2020/6
Y1 - 2020/6
N2 - Background: A web-based malaria reporting information system (MRIS) has the potential to improve malaria reporting and management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existing manual paper-based MRIS and to provide a way to overcome the obstacles by developing a web-based MRIS in Indonesia. Methods: An exploratory study was conducted in 2012 in Lahat District, South Sumatra Province of Indonesia. We evaluated the current reporting system and identified the potential benefits of using a web-based MRIS by in-depth interviews on selected key informants. Feasibility study was then conducted to develop a prototype system. A web-based MRIS was developed, integrated and synchronized, with suitability ranging from Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to the Lahat District Health Office. Results: The paper-based reporting system was sub-optimal due to a lack of transportation, communication, and human capacity. We developed a web-based MRIS to replace the current one. Although the web-based system has the potential to improve the malaria reporting information system, there were some barriers to its implementation, including lack of skilled operators, computer availability and lack of internet access. Recommended ways to overcome the obstacles are by training operators, making the application in an offline mode and able to be operated by mobile phone text messaging for malaria reporting. Conclusion: The web-based MRIS has the potential to be implemented as an enhanced malaria reporting information system and investment in the system to support timely management responses is essential for malaria elimination. The developed application can be cloned to other areas that have similar characteristics and MRIS with a built-in web base to aid its application in the 5G future.
AB - Background: A web-based malaria reporting information system (MRIS) has the potential to improve malaria reporting and management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existing manual paper-based MRIS and to provide a way to overcome the obstacles by developing a web-based MRIS in Indonesia. Methods: An exploratory study was conducted in 2012 in Lahat District, South Sumatra Province of Indonesia. We evaluated the current reporting system and identified the potential benefits of using a web-based MRIS by in-depth interviews on selected key informants. Feasibility study was then conducted to develop a prototype system. A web-based MRIS was developed, integrated and synchronized, with suitability ranging from Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to the Lahat District Health Office. Results: The paper-based reporting system was sub-optimal due to a lack of transportation, communication, and human capacity. We developed a web-based MRIS to replace the current one. Although the web-based system has the potential to improve the malaria reporting information system, there were some barriers to its implementation, including lack of skilled operators, computer availability and lack of internet access. Recommended ways to overcome the obstacles are by training operators, making the application in an offline mode and able to be operated by mobile phone text messaging for malaria reporting. Conclusion: The web-based MRIS has the potential to be implemented as an enhanced malaria reporting information system and investment in the system to support timely management responses is essential for malaria elimination. The developed application can be cloned to other areas that have similar characteristics and MRIS with a built-in web base to aid its application in the 5G future.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85086354994&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0229838
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0229838
M3 - Article
C2 - 32516344
AN - SCOPUS:85086354994
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 15
JO - PloS one
JF - PloS one
IS - 6
M1 - e0229838
ER -