Title: A smartphone-based reporting application for routine health data: system requirements, analysis and design

Authors: Luba Pascoe; Joseph W. Mwangoka

Addresses: Department of Information Communication Systems Engineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania ' Department of Information Communication Systems Engineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania

Abstract: Mobile phone technology has invaded people's daily routine. The improvements in this technology have facilitated its use in different areas including the health sector. As a result, mobile phones are found to be more useful in areas where the use of road or postal systems often delay or are unsuitable for data communication. This study analysed and documented the requirements needed for the design and development of a smartphone-based application that is used for reporting of routine health data from the primary health facilities to district level in a Sub-Saharan country. Qualitative data collection methods have been used to gather correct, consistent, unambiguous, complete, relevant and testable system requirements. In the conceptual modelling entity relationship diagram, class diagram, use cases, sequence diagram and cross-functional flow chart diagram have facilitated the designing and development of the user interfaces of the smartphone-based reporting application.

Keywords: health data reporting; system requirements; system analysis; system design; smartphones; mobile phones; cell phones; smartphone apps; Tanzania; healthcare technology; conceptual modelling; user interfaces; routine health data; primary health facilities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTMCP.2016.078429

International Journal of Telemedicine and Clinical Practices, 2016 Vol.1 No.4, pp.323 - 344

Received: 01 Sep 2015
Accepted: 13 Oct 2015
Published online: 17 Aug 2016 *

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