-Evaluation of “EDDIE mobile app” as a tool of Diagnosis and Surveillance of Trypanosomosis and Babesiosis of Cattle at Nekemte, Bako and Shambu Veterinary Clinic, Western Oromia, Ethiopia

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