Hakizimana Dieudonne, Schurer Janna M, Irimaso Emmanuel, Rabinowitz Peter, Ndagijimana Joseph, Amuguni Janetrix Hellen
Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
Department of Global Health Delivery, University of Global Health Equity, Butaro, Rwanda.
PLOS Digit Health. 2025 Aug 21;4(8):e0000990. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000990. eCollection 2025 Aug.
The Rwandan veterinary health system lacks reliable animal disease surveillance data, hindering effective response to zoonotic diseases and other animal health events, including pathogen spillovers with pandemic potential. To address this gap, we piloted a mobile phone reporting system among veterinarians to (1) collect data on animal and human health events and (2) gather insights for future implementations, strengthening the reporting system's operationalization. A multi-method approach was employed with 14 veterinarians equipped with smartphones. We developed a real-time reporting questionnaire synchronized with a central server and trained the veterinarians to use it during regular field visits. To evaluate the pilot, 11 in-depth interviews were conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while thematic analysis identified key qualitative themes. Over the study period, veterinarians submitted 1,181 reports through the mobile system, documenting 1,232 cattle disease cases. Common symptoms included inappetence (56.4%) and fever (53.3%). Suspected diseases were primarily East Coast Fever (36.8%) and anaplasmosis (17.4%), with diagnostic tests performed in only 3.6% of cases. Among 3,337 cattle owners, 354 self-reported illness, with 72.6% seeking medical attention. Mobile reporting proved feasible, improving veterinarians' record-keeping, communication, and collaboration. Key implementation facilitators included training, financial allowances, and technical support, while challenges involved phone capacity and network coverage. Veterinarians leveraged community trust to gather human health data, describing the process as both educational and empowering, and strongly supported the system's continued use and enhancements. This pilot highlighted the potential of mobile reporting systems to enhance veterinary practice and zoonotic disease surveillance in remote areas. Positive experiences from veterinarians underscore its feasibility, though scaling up requires investments in training, support, incentives, and addressing technological barriers. Future research should evaluate cost-effectiveness and stakeholder readiness to optimize adoption.
卢旺达兽医卫生系统缺乏可靠的动物疾病监测数据，这阻碍了对人畜共患病及其他动物卫生事件做出有效应对，包括可能引发大流行的病原体溢出事件。为填补这一空白，我们在兽医中试点了一个手机报告系统，以（1）收集动物和人类健康事件的数据，以及（2）收集对未来实施工作的见解，加强报告系统的运作。我们采用了多方法途径，14名配备智能手机的兽医参与其中。我们开发了一个与中央服务器同步的实时报告问卷，并培训兽医在定期实地走访时使用。为评估该试点项目，我们进行了11次深入访谈。定量数据采用描述性统计进行分析，而定性分析则确定了关键的定性主题。在研究期间，兽医通过移动系统提交了1181份报告，记录了1232例牛疾病病例。常见症状包括食欲不振（56.4%）和发烧（53.3%）。疑似疾病主要是东海岸热（36.8%）和无形体病（17.4%），仅3.6%的病例进行了诊断检测。在3337名牛主人中，354人自述患病，其中72.6%寻求了医疗救治。移动报告被证明是可行的，改善了兽医的记录保存、沟通和协作。关键的实施促进因素包括培训、财政补贴和技术支持，而挑战则涉及手机性能和网络覆盖。兽医利用社区信任来收集人类健康数据，称这一过程既有教育意义又能赋予权力，并强烈支持该系统的持续使用和改进。该试点突出了移动报告系统在加强偏远地区兽医实践和人畜共患病监测方面的潜力。兽医们的积极经验强调了其可行性，不过扩大规模需要在培训、支持、激励措施以及解决技术障碍方面进行投资。未来的研究应评估成本效益以及利益相关者的准备情况，以优化采用情况。
