DHIS2 Android: Extending the Reach of DHIS2

The most important step to getting actionable data that can be used to inform decision making is the first one: capturing it. Traditionally in a Health Management Information System (HMIS), data was collected in aggregate format on paper forms, which were then submitted to a central office for manual entry into a database. DHIS2 core software decentralizes this process by providing a web-based platform where users can enter data from any level within an organizational system, from the office of the Minister of Health down to a medical worker at an individual health center, provided that a computer with internet access is available. The DHIS2 Android Capture App extends this functionality even further, allowing healthcare workers to enter data directly into their central DHIS2 database from their Android phone or tablet, wherever they are.

Using DHIS2 Capture on mobile devices has the potential to greatly increase the effectiveness and accuracy of the data collection process by reducing bottlenecks, reducing the opportunity for introduction of errors or duplicate entries, and reducing reporting time. It also facilitates the extension of health sytems from aggregate to individual-level (case-based) data, by putting the tools for data collection directly in the hands of the health service providers at the community level. Because the app works in offline mode, it also allows for data capture and analysis in the most remote and challenging environments, where internet connectivity may be limited.

The DHIS2 Android Capture App is not a stand-alone application, but a mobile extension of the DHIS2 core platform. As such, it can be seamlessly integrated into existing DHIS2 systems, and works natively with aggregate, Tracker, and Event programs. Because the app is built and maintained by a core DHIS2 software team, it is regularly updated for compatibility with the latest DHIS2 releases. DHIS2 Capture for Android was released in 2018 as a replacement for several legacy DHIS2 mobile apps, and has since gone through several rounds of performance improvements and feature enhancements, resulting in a robust, stable and scalable mobile application, with more than 23,500 monthly active users as of the beginning of 2020.

The DHIS2 Android Capture App provides a customizable user-friendly interface for entering data into any DHIS2 program that a DHIS2 user has access to. This includes reporting of aggregate data, as well as case-based data for individuals or other entities. The data syncs automatically with the user’s central DHIS2 database, allowing for a smooth flow of data from the local level into a district- or national-level system. Some key features of the app include:

• Real-time data entry by any DHIS2 system user, from frontline workers to system managers
• Instant analysis of data collected in the device
• Full offline functionality with intelligent sync
• Native integration with DHIS2 aggregate, Tracker, and Events programs
• Full Tracker Capture support, including search function for existing records
• Support for the DHIS2 program rules engine, which supports guided data entry and dynamic form updates for complex workflows
• User-friendly navigation, including options for icon-based data entry
• Automatic visual alignment with web-based DHIS2 programs and forms, plus options for custom configuration
• Secure and simple login, QR scan for easy server URL configuration
• Map view and easy GPS location capture for data entry
• Create and scan barcodes and QR codes for easy mobile data entry and record management

Read more about these features — including updates in the latest software release — on the DHIS2 Android Capture App page.

Download the DHIS2 Android Capture App onto your Android mobile device from either Google Play or Github, and test it out with a DHIS2 demo database.