Smartphones for Better Healthcare

In low-income countries, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute a large health and economic burden: 75 to 85 percent of the estimated 340 million annual new cases of curable STIs occur in low-income countries, and STIs account for 17 percent of economic losses due to illness. In a 2006 household survey in Uganda, 39 percent (945/2,576) of respondents reported possible STI symptoms one or more times, but only a third (373/1,019) of these sought any care.

This project uses the data and communication capacity of mobile phones to support an innovative voucher-based program for the treatment of STIs in East Uganda. In the voucher program, health care providers are reimbursed directly for treating sexually transmitted infections after the patient has received services. This project focuses on the deployment of “Smartphones” as a health information platform, with dual goals of reducing claim processing time and improving communication between the health care providers and the voucher program. Currently team members are testing the smartphones platform and developing plans for eventually handing off maintenance and training to local partners for uptake in an expanded voucher-based program.

Principal Investigator: Professor Eric Brewer, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Lead Student Researcher: Melissa Ho, PhD Student, School of Information, 2011
Partners: Technology and Infrastructure for Emerging Regions (TIER); Microcare Insurance; Marie Stopes International; Uganda Ministry of Health
Field Location: Southwestern Uganda (Mbarara, Ibanda, Kirihura and Isingiro districts)