Improving Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Surveillance Performance in South Sudan: The Contribution of Open Data Kit Mobile Data Collection Technology

Background: Of all the mobile platforms used for data collection, the Open Data kit application has been the most reliable and most effective especially for polio surveillance. ODK was introduced to the polio surveillance system in South Sudan in 2017. This study highlights the contribution of ODK mobile data collection to improving EPI activities, monitoring, and performance in South Sudan. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study of supportive supervision data collected under the ODK platform from October 2017 to October 2018. ODK is a free and open-source data tool that provides an out-of-the-box solution for users enabling them to create data collection forms or surveys. Results: In 2016, all 323 AFP cases reported in South Sudan had no geocode location. However, in 2017 and 2018, 36% of the 385 AFP cases and 56% of the 178 reported AFP cases respectively had geocode location with the use of ODK. Cases with geocodes were highest in Western Bahr El Ghazal State for both 2017 and 2018. In 2016, evidence from the Zero reporting summary form showed a total of 17538 visits by surveillance officers to priority sites. Whereas, visits to priority sites as documented by ODK showed that surveillance officers made a total 567 visits in 2017 with the priority sites in Western Bahr El Ghazal being the most visited while those in Unity State were the least. Conclusion: Supportive Supervision and AFP Case verification using ODK has contributed to producing real-time data, the actual location of health facilities and cases, prompt program implementation and health interventions. All these have helped strengthen the country’s AFP surveillance system