WhatsApp innovation that improved reporting rates: A low-cost digital approach to strengthen health reporting in rural Uganda

Kennedy Ssejjengo · 2025 · Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health

Summary. A WhatsApp-based reporting system in rural Uganda increased health surveillance reporting rates from 33% to 89% within three months. Health workers submitted weekly epidemiological reports through a WhatsApp group when network failures disrupted the national mTrac system, with a district coordinator consolidating submissions once connectivity returned. The innovation improved data timeliness, completeness, and worker accountability while requiring minimal cost, demonstrating how simple digital tools can strengthen health information systems in resource-limited rural settings.

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@article{ssejjengo-2025-whatsapp-innovation-improved-reporting-rates,
  title   = {WhatsApp innovation that improved reporting rates: A low-cost digital approach to strengthen health reporting in rural Uganda},
  author  = {Kennedy Ssejjengo},
  journal = {Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.37432/jieph-confpro6-00003},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-confpro6-00003}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - WhatsApp innovation that improved reporting rates: A low-cost digital approach to strengthen health reporting in rural Uganda
AU  - Kennedy Ssejjengo
JO  - Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health
PY  - 2025
DO  - 10.37432/jieph-confpro6-00003
UR  - https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-confpro6-00003
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.37432/jieph-confpro6-00003

Countries

Uganda

Regions

Africa

Categories

broadband-and-digital, rural-healthcare

Added

2026-04-28