Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IJTRD10872
IJTRD10872
www.ijtrd.com
Acceptability Testing of a Mobile Application to Improve
Immunization Status Monitoring and Compliance in
Selected Barangay Health Centers in Iligan City
1
Geraldine Ridad, 2Gabriel Joseph Esporsado, 3Abdulrauf Garangan, 4Art Brian Escabarte and 5Omar Khayyam Usman,
1,2,3,4
College of Nursing, Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines
5
Amigu.co, Iligan City, Philippines
Abstract— With the availability of vaccines given freely by recommended infant or childhood vaccines, thus achieving the
the government for immunization, it is still a question as to goal of Fully Immunized Child (FIC) in the Philippines [3].
why the goal of 100% fully immunized child (FIC) status has
Globally, the immunization coverage for the six major
yet to be reached. Hence, an android application was created,
vaccine-preventable diseases has risen significantly but had
designed and developed to help increase the immunization rate
also stalled over the last decade. Philippines, having at least
specifically in Iligan City which only has 81.01% or 7,509 out
60% of the total number of children who did not receive
of 9269 total eligible population. This mobile application was
vaccination, has been one of the eight countries to have many
tested for its acceptability among nurses, midwives, and/or
unvaccinated children [4]. Studies show that various factors
Barangay Health workers in ten different Barangay Health
have caused barriers among the mothers from adhering to the
Centers in Iligan City. This was done in three phases; the
Expanded Program on Immunization. Among all other factors,
orientation phase, implementation phase, and evaluation phase.
barriers due to personal beliefs, social influence and
Results showed that the application was strongly beneficial geographical locations, lack of knowledge and awareness on
(Median=4) to them with an extreme ease of use EPI are the most prevalent [5].
(Median=6.75). They were also very satisfied (Median=1) with
On the other hand, technologies like smartphones have
its performance. The findings of this study have proved to be
paved their way to becoming very useful in the lives of the
promising in improving monitoring of immunization status and
many. Nowadays, smartphones became the defining
compliance. The android application is of great contribution
technology of the 21st century. It was estimated that by the
and has guaranteed a time-saving, cost-effective way in
year 2020, 80% of the total population especially adults
productivity and delivery of safe, quality care.
worldwide will have their own smartphones [6]. Thus,
Keywords— Immunization; Android Application; Fully smartphones having its easy accessibility and efficiency, have
Immunized Child. proven their use to many, even to improving health care
delivery system [7], [9], [14].
I. INTRODUCTION
Since EPI was established last 1976, significant changes
Every child has the right to have a fair chance in life. They
have resulted to the immunization status worldwide, and most
deserve a chance to live a long life, to feel safe and to be
importantly in the Philippines. But due to various factors,
protected against various diseases. However, in the year 2015,
Philippines cannot seem to achieve its 100% goal of Fully
an estimated 5.9 million children under 5 years of age died
Immunized Child all over the country. In fact, in Iligan City,
with a global under-five mortality of 42.5 per 1000 live births
only 81.01% or 7,509 out of 9,269 total eligible population
which is an estimate of 28 deaths per 1000 live births in the
have reached the Fully Immunized Child status in the end of
Philippines before they can even reach the age of five [2]. The
the year 2015 [8]. But with the advancement of technologies
causes of these deaths are said to be from several vaccine-
nowadays and with the use of smartphones and various mobile
preventable diseases, namely measles, tuberculosis,
applications, health care delivery system may just be
poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis which has also
improved, thus, giving chances in improving and even
been reported to cause an estimate of 3 million deaths or
achieving the goal for the immunization status in the
disabilities each year. These, however, can be prevented
country[14].
through a complete and timely immunization [1].
Therefore, with the increased demands and advancements
As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO),
in technologies like smartphones and its capacity to aid and
immunization is the process wherein a person is made immune
improve health care delivery, the researchers were dedicated to
or resistant to an infectious disease by the administration of a
create a solution to the decreased immunization status in the
vaccine. Vaccine, on the other hand, stimulates the body’s own
country, specifically in Iligan City where it has not achieved
immune system to protect the person against subsequent
the 100% status. The researchers specifically developed a
infection or disease. Given by the fact that children who are
mobile application with the intent of increasing the
not fully immunized are more vulnerable to common
immunization rate of the children in Iligan City.
childhood diseases, a program to improve immunization status
of each country was created. This program is called the Objectives:
Expanded Program on Immunization or EPI which is a
program established by the WHO in 1976 mainly to reduce To determine the acceptability of the mobile
infant and child mortality that are commonly brought by the application as to ease of use, preferences, satisfaction
said vaccine-preventable diseases. The program also ensures rating, and perceived benefits and disadvantages.
the infants, children and even mothers an access to the