Design and development of a geographic information system to map and track trachoma patients in Kajiado County

Abstract

Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping software provides powerful tools for management and analysis of infectious diseases. The use of this technology can be tailored to suit a wide range of applications. This chapter, a summary of research, aims at designing and developing a mapping and tracking system for Trachoma patients within Kajiado County. The system is intended to: improve the collection and reporting of aggregated health data of Trachoma patients through mobile technologies; identify specific locations vulnerable to Trachoma within Kajiado County; identify congregate groups targeted for preventive measures of Trachoma disease; and create maps to help stakeholders to establish the location of the patients within Kajiado County. This study was based on the Susceptible Infected Recovered (SIR) model. The research design used was experimental and the system methodology used was evolutionary prototyping. Data was collected using face–to–face interviews and document analysis from Bissil, Mile 46, Kitengela and Isinya which were used to test the system. Cross case analysis was used to analyse the data within the areas. The android operating system and Java programming were used to develop the user interface for capturing the data by the community health workers through the use of a GIS– enabled phone. Google map application was used to identify the locations of the patient on a map. Visual Basic.net programming language was used to generate the reports to be used by the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) coordinators to make decisions and deliver medical services. Based on the findings of the study, the use of GIS–enabled mobile phones led to a reduction in the spread of Trachoma and facilitated quick identification of locations/ households of Trachoma prevalence areas. The chapter concludes by recommending the development of a GIS cloud mobile data collection system for web and mobile devices which would allow collection of Trachoma patient data in real time mode.