ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2020
Effectiveness of a Mobile-Based Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance System (FluMob) Among Health Care Workers: Longitudinal Study.
Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- What are the characteristics of participatory surveillance systems for influenza-like-illness?Journal of global health · 2023Pooled it
- The Landscape of Participatory Surveillance Systems Across the One Health Spectrum: Systematic Review.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2022Pooled it
- Harnessing Participatory Surveillance Cohorts and Proxy Indicators to Dynamically Track Epidemic Trends and Undiagnosed COVID-19 Infections in Singapore: Longitudinal Observational Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Observational
- 3D Measurement of Chronic Wounds in Routine Care: A Review with Practical Guidance for Smartphone Photogrammetry.Annals of biomedical engineering · 2026Review
- Increased Risk of Influenza-Like Illness Clusters in Schools, Taiwan from 2011 to 2020: A Retrospective Study.Journal of epidemiology and global health · 2025Article
- Enabling Multicentric Participatory Disease Surveillance for Global Health Enhancement: Viewpoint on Global Flu View.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2023Article
- Influenza surveillance systems using traditional and alternative sources of data: A scoping review.Influenza and other respiratory viruses · 2022Article
- Serial Passaging of Seasonal H3N2 Influenza A/Singapore/G2-31.1/2014 Virus in MDCK-SIAT1 Cells and Primary Chick Embryo Cells Generates HA D457G Mutation and Other Variants in HA, NA, PB1, PB1-F2, and NS1.International journal of molecular sciences · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundExisting studies have suggested that internet-based participatory surveillance systems are a valid sentinel for influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance. However, there is limited scientific knowledge on the effectiveness of mobile-based ILI surveillance systems. Previous studies also adopted a passive surveillance approach and have not fully investigated the effectiveness of the systems and their determinants.
objectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of a mobile-based surveillance system of ILI, termed FluMob, among health care workers using a targeted surveillance approach. Specifically, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the system for ILI surveillance pertaining to its participation engagement and surveillance power. In addition, we aimed to identify the factors that can moderate the effectiveness of the system.
methodsThe FluMob system was launched in two large hospitals in Singapore from April 2016 to March 2018. A total of 690 clinical and nonclinical hospital staff participated in the study for 18 months and were prompted via app notifications to submit a survey listing 18 acute respiratory symptoms (eg, fever, cough, sore throat) on a weekly basis. There was a period of study disruption due to maintenance of the system and the end of the participation incentive between May and July of 2017.
resultsOn average, the individual submission rate was 41.4% (SD 24.3%), with a rate of 51.8% (SD 26.4%) before the study disruption and of 21.5% (SD 30.6%) after the disruption. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the adjusted individual submission rates were higher for participants who were older (<30 years, 31.4% vs 31-40 years, 40.2% [P<.001]; 41-50 years, 46.0% [P<.001]; >50 years, 39.9% [P=.01]), ethnic Chinese (Chinese, 44.4% vs non-Chinese, 34.7%; P<.001), and vaccinated against flu in the past year (vaccinated, 44.6% vs nonvaccinated, 34.4%; P<.001). In addition, the weekly ILI incidence was 1.07% on average. The Pearson correlation coefficient between ILI incidence estimated by FluMob and that reported by Singapore Ministry of Health was 0.04 (P=.75) with all data and was 0.38 (P=.006) including only data collected before the study disruption. Health care workers with higher risks of ILI and influenza such as women, non-Chinese, allied health staff, those who had children in their households, not vaccinated against influenza, and reported allergy demonstrated higher surveillance correlations.
conclusionsMobile-based ILI surveillance systems among health care workers can be effective. However, proper operation of the mobile system without major disruptions is vital for the engagement of participants and the persistence of surveillance power. Moreover, the effectiveness of the mobile surveillance system can be moderated by participants' characteristics, which highlights the importance of targeted disease surveillance that can reduce the cost of recruitment and engagement.
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