title: A demonstration of mobile phone deployment to support the treatment of acutely ill children under five in Bushenyi district, Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benefits of mobile phone deployment for children <5 in low-resource settings remain unproven. The target population of the current demonstration study in Bushenyi District, Uganda, presented with acute fever, pneumonia, or diarrhoea and were treated by community health workers (CHWs) providing integrated community case management (iCCM).
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was conducted in five parishes (47 villages) served by CHWs well versed in iCCM with supplemental training in mobile phone use. Impact was assessed by quantitative measures and qualitative evaluation through household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CHWs in targeted sites improved child healthcare through mobile phone use coupled with iCCM. Of acutely ill children, 92.6% were correctly managed. Significant improvements in clinical outcomes compared to those obtained by CHWs with enhanced iCCM training alone were unproven in this limited demonstration. Nonetheless, qualitative evaluation showed gains in treatment planning, supply management, and logistical efficiency. Provider confidence and communications were enhanced as was ease and accuracy of record keeping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mobile phones appear synergistic with iCCM to bolster basic supportive care for acutely ill children provided by CHWs. The full impact of expanded mobile phone deployment warrants further evaluation prior to scaling up in low-resource settings.
authors.affiliation: Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kabakyenga
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Uganda.
authors.forename: Celestine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barigye
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maling
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Buchner
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nettle-Aquirre
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.affiliation: Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda.
authors.forename: Teddy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kyomuhangi
authors.affiliation: Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tumusiime
authors.affiliation: Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finch
authors.affiliation: Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacLeod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D040421:Cell Phone; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000628:therapy*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000628:therapy*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012424:Rural Population; D014454:Uganda
keywords: Bushenyi district; Uganda; ill children under five; mobile phone deployment