Mobile Health (mHealth) Digital Platform for Primary Data Collection for Prostate Cancer Monitoring and Surveillance in Embu County, Kenya
View/ Open
Date
2023-08Author
Ndwiga, Mwaniki Benard
Naftal, Oirere B.O
Phoebe, Masita
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The cancer situation in Africa is on an upward trajectory and requires a context-sensitive
approach. Prostate cancer is the fourth cause of death after cervical, breast, and oesophageal
cancer respectively with an estimated incidence of 3,412 (8.1%) and a mortality of 1,780
(6.6%) in Kenya. Currently in Kenya cancer registration and surveillance cover an estimated
10% of the population which is sub-optimal. The main aim of the study was to demonstrate the
use of an mHealth digital platform prototype to improve the collection and real-time access to
primary data for prostate cancer control and surveillance. The study adopted a descriptive
cross-sectional study design, utilizing a design science research (DSR) strategy. The target
population was healthcare workers, including community health volunteers in Embu County.
The purposive sampling technique was used to identify participants, a total population of (71)
respondents, and critical case sampling was used to identify (34) community health volunteers
(CHVs) from different community health units. Surveys with structured questionnaires were
used in data collection, with a response rate of 80.3%. The data collected was subjected to
quantitative-descriptive analysis. The findings guided the requirement definition, design, and
development of the prototype which was tested by the end users. A gap was noted in prostate
primary data collection, documentation, and access from the community. We established the
available data was mostly hospital-based. The study also, established that cancer was not
covered in an integrated disease surveillance and response system. The mHealth digital
platform was tested by the end users to illustrate primary data collection from the community
and its real-time access. Finally, the research recommends the expansion of the existing disease
surveillance system to include cancer surveillance.
Citation
Ndwiga, M. B., Naftal, O. B. O., & Phoebe, M. (2023). Mobile Health (mHealth) Digital Platform for Primary Data Collection for Prostate Cancer Monitoring and Surveillance in Embu County, Kenya. Innovative Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 9-21.Publisher
Innovative Journal of Social Sciences,