Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42691010›Full record

ArticlePLOS digital health2026

Community-based malaria surveillance in Cambodia using a mobile reporting app for village malaria workers: An implementation case study.

Pengby Ngor, Huy Rekol, Siv Sovannaroth, Po Ly, Eng Thyda, Sok Kimleng, Yoem Rattana, Ou Vunsokserey, Hem Vanna, Ran Sany and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLOS digital health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Pengby NgorNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8790-379X
Huy RekolNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Siv SovannarothNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Po LyNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Eng ThydaNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Sok KimlengNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Yoem RattanaNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Ou VunsoksereyNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Hem VannaNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Ran SanyNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Chang PumeoungNational Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Steven MellorIndependent Consultant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Rady TryWHO Mekong Malaria Elimination Programme, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Pascal RingwaldWHO Mekong Malaria Elimination Programme, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Richard J MaudeMahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Lisa J WhiteModel Health Ltd, Brixham, United Kingdom.

Funding

Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

To support malaria elimination, Cambodia implemented a locally developed, nationally integrated, community-based mobile digital surveillance system enabling real-time, case-based detection, reporting and response. This implementation case study describes the development, national deployment and operational performance of an Android-based mobile app used by Village Malaria Workers (VMWs) and Mobile Malaria Workers (MMWs) integrated within the national Malaria Information System (MIS). Developed collaboratively with VMWs, the system enables real-time, geolocated case reporting with offline functionality, built-in validation checks, centralized device management and automated analytics. Evaluation employed three data sources: routine surveillance data (2018-2024), a contextual survey of VMW/MMWs in three high-risk provinces (2024), and a national technical usability survey (2025). Outcomes included reporting timeliness, completeness, surveillance performance indicators aligned with the national malaria elimination framework and user experience. Following national implementation in 2017- 2018, data completeness and timeliness improved. Between 2018 and 2024 reporting coverage increased from 19% to 99% and data completeness has remained ≥99% since 2019. Case notification within 24 hours increased from 2% to 99% and foci investigation within 7 days from 0% to 98%. Malaria testing rates expanded from 135,664 to 715,277 per year. Intensified surveillance was concurrent with a decline in active malaria foci from 129 in 2020 to 0 in 2024. A contextual evaluation including 88 VMW/MMWs showed strong support for surveillance activities, including reporting and data analysis at the community level. The technical evaluation survey found that 94% (904/966) of VMWs were very satisfied/satisfied with the app, with technical problems experienced never/rarely by 82% (795/966). Key operational challenges included intermittent internet connectivity, limited electricity supply, and transport constraints, although offline functionality and data synchronization prevented data loss. Cambodia's experience demonstrates the feasibility and sustainability of large-scale digital surveillance in resource-constrained settings and highlights the importance of integration, training and sustainability through local ownership.

Identifiers

PMID42691010
PMCPMC13541183

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