Abstract:
A descriptive case study was used in this study by Purposive sampling of cattle coming to
veterinary clinics. Accuracy of EDDIE app compared conventional (paper-based) of cattle disease
diagnosis and reporting in terms of demographics and disease information. A total of 811 clinical
cases were diagnosed in three veterinary clinics visited using both EDDIE app and paper/manual
approach using the same animals. This case explores the use of a Smartphone-based application to
increase the accuracy of cattle disease (trypanosomosis and babesiosis) reporting and surveillance
in three veterinary clinics (Nekemte, Bako and Shambu) veterinary clinics. Out of the total animals
examined by both EEDDIE app and paper based diagnosis, 778(96%) and 33(4%) were matched
and unmatched respectively. The accuracy of EDDIE app was approved by confirmatory diagnosis
using laboratory test of 10% from the total matched cases. Accordingly, from 778 matched cases
78(10%) cases were laboratory tested and 21(26.92%) cases were positive for the two
heamoprotozoan parasites. This laboratory confirmation indicates EDDIE app was as accurate as
paper for diagnosis and surveillance of two cattle disease (trypanosomosis and babesiosis) in the
study area. It may therefore provide proportional morbidity in the study area; breed, sex, age and
geographic location effects were consistent with current epidemiological understanding. The
EDDIE app tool leading to a significantly increase in the number of clinical signs recorded than
paper based, suggesting this as a key beneficial consequence of its use. It may also inform
approximate proportional morbidity and represent a useful epidemiological tool in poorly
resourced areas
