Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract NACNDC/19JASH023 (Poster C13) | Published: 20 Nov 2025
Diana Cherotin1,&, Patrick Sserunjogi1, Clark Joshua Brianwong1, Eddy Okwir1, Frehd Nghania1, Lwanga Ssekiswa Zimwanguyiza1, Alex Mugume1, Dithan Kiragga1
1Baylor Foundation, Kampala, Uganda
&Corresponding author: Diana Cherotin, Baylor Foundation, Kampala, Uganda. Email: dianacherotin@gmail.com ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3095-8794
Received: 12 Sept 2025, Accepted: 20 Oct 2025, Published: 20 Nov 2025
Domain: Health Informatics
Keywords: PMTCT, digital health, DHIS2, dashboard, Eastern Uganda
©Diana Cherotin 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: Diana Cherotin et al Use of a real-time data dashboard to strengthen prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in Eastern Uganda, 2021–2024. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc6):00023. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO6-00023
Despite significant investments by Uganda’s Ministry of Health to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, performance of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services in Eastern Uganda remained suboptimal. Monitoring relied heavily on quarterly, paper-based reviews, which delayed timely action even though real-time digital data existed in DHIS2. To strengthen data use and improve PMTCT outcomes, a color-coded, real-time PMTCT dashboard was introduced in 2021 across facilities in Eastern Uganda.
An Excel-based dashboard was developed to automatically extract and visualize PMTCT indicators from DHIS2. The dashboard enabled drill-down analysis from regional to facility level, highlighting reporting errors, gaps in service delivery, and trends requiring action. It incorporated color-coding to classify performance, supported immediate corrective measures, and allowed users to compare performance across facilities. Monthly data reviews were institutionalized at facility, district, and regional levels. Rapid feedback mechanisms, including WhatsApp groups, email, and SMS, facilitated continuous communication, mentorship, and dissemination of best practices.
Analysis of DHIS2 data from 2021 to 2024 showed major improvements across the PMTCT cascade. HIV re-testing in antenatal care increased from 45% to 85%. Uptake of antiretroviral therapy prophylaxis among HIV-exposed infants improved from 15% to 86%. Early infant diagnosis testing rose from 71% to 90%. Linkage to syphilis treatment increased from 27% to 87%, while viral load testing among pregnant women at first antenatal care visit improved from 62% to 85%. The dashboard also enabled earlier identification and management of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis among pregnant and breastfeeding women. The most impactful enablers included timely feedback loops, peer learning, and empowering health workers to interpret and act on their own data.
The real-time PMTCT dashboard shifted monitoring from retrospective reporting to proactive performance management. By leveraging DHIS2 data and mentorship networks, the intervention aligned with the WHO Global Digital Health Strategy, enhanced inclusivity and accountability, and accelerated progress toward eliminating MTCT and related infections.
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