Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract NACNDC/19JASH003 (Poster C43) | Published: 17 Nov 2025
Kennedy Ssejjengo1,&
Nsiika Health Centre IV, Buhweju District, Uganda
&Corresponding author: Kennedy Ssejjengo, Nsiika Health Centre IV, Buhweju District, Uganda. Email: ssejjengok@yahoo.com
Received: 18 Sept 2025, Accepted: 20 Oct 2025, Published: 17 Nov 2025
Domain: Health Informatics
Keywords: Digital health, mTrac reporting, WhatsApp innovation, Health information systems, Uganda
©Kennedy Ssejjengo et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Kennedy Ssejjengo et al., WhatsApp innovation that improved reporting rates: A low-cost digital approach to strengthen health reporting in rural Uganda. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc6):00003. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO6-00003
Timely and complete reporting of health data is critical for effective disease surveillance and response. In Uganda, the mTrac system supports weekly health reporting; however, rural districts such as Buhweju face persistent challenges, including poor network coverage, limited infrastructure, and low reporting compliance. In Buhweju District, the HMIS 033b – weekly epidemiological surveillance report reporting rate had fallen to 33%, compromising timely data flow for decision-making.
A low-cost digital innovation using WhatsApp was piloted to address reporting gaps. A WhatsApp group comprising all health workers responsible for weekly reporting was established. When network or system failures occurred, staff submitted their 033b reports via the group. The District HMIS focal person consolidated and uploaded the reports once connectivity was restored. Training sessions and regular feedback meetings reinforced compliance and data accuracy.
Within three months of implementation, reporting rates improved from 33% to 89%. The WhatsApp group provided a reliable alternative for report submission, reducing delays and ensuring near real-time data sharing. Health workers reported improved teamwork, confidence, and accountability. Challenges included sustaining internet bundles for staff and maintaining standardized reporting formats.
Simple, locally adapted digital tools such as WhatsApp can effectively complement national reporting systems like mTrac. This innovation demonstrated improved timeliness, completeness, and teamwork in data reporting, aligning with Uganda’s eHealth Strategy. Scaling up this approach could strengthen rural health information systems and enhance responsiveness in resource-limited settings.
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