Design and implementation of Cell-PREVEN: a real-time surveillance system for adverse events using cell phones in Peru.
With more clinical trials involving evaluations of new drugs or vaccines, monitoring for early detection of adverse events is essential. The overall goal of this study was to develop an interactive-computer system using cell phones for real-time collection and transmission of adverse events related to metronidazole administration among female sex workers (FSW) in Peru. We developed an application for cell phones in Spanish, called Cell-PREVEN, based on a system from Voxiva Inc. We used cell phones to enter data collected by interviewers from FSW in three communities. Information was stored in an online database, where it could be immediately accessed worldwide and exported over a secure Internet connection. E-mail and text messages sent to mobile devices alerted key personnel to selected symptoms. This pilot project has demonstrated that it is feasible to develop a public-health-surveillance system based on cell phones to collect data in real-time in Peru (http://www.prevenperu.org).
Curioso
Walter H
WH
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. wcurioso@u.washington.edu
Karras
Bryant T
BT
Campos
Pablo E
PE
Buendia
Clara
C
Holmes
King K
KK
Kimball
Ann Marie
AM
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D040421:Cell Phone; D003199:Computer Systems; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016208:Databases, Factual; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010568:Peru; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole