Published on 06/05/2024
A team of medical doctors & researchers from Makerere University Hospital and the College of Health Sciences has developed an Android-based mobile application designed to promote reproductive health awareness and streamline access to treatment.
The Android-based app, called “Mak RTI Mobile,” is a significant step forward in addressing reproductive health issues in Uganda.
Users can download the app from the Google Play Store to learn about various reproductive tract infections (RTIs), their symptoms and preventative measures. The app offers an easy-to-use interface where users can access information, chat with medical professionals, book appointments at Makerere University Hospital and even get emergency assistance.
The development of the Mak RTI Mobile App was made possible through the collaboration between the medical team and the Directorate for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Support at Makerere University.
The official launch event held on Friday at Makerere University Hospital in Kampala drew a diverse audience of healthcare professionals, university officials, and members of the public.
Prof. Damalie Nakanjako, the Principal of the College of Health Sciences, spoke at the launch event emphasizing the importance of the app in addressing reproductive health needs in the community. “Our mission is to provide transformative education and research that meets societal needs, and this innovation is a significant step toward achieving that goal,” she stated.
Reproductive tract infections are a serious health concern in Uganda with the most vulnerable group being individuals between the ages of 15 and 49. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi either originating from the reproductive tract or introduced through sexual activity or medical procedures.
Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, the Director of Makerere University Health Services, highlighted that the app is not just about providing information but it’s also a bridge connecting the public with healthcare providers. “Through this app, we aim to demystify reproductive health and make it easier for people to seek help when needed. It’s about breaking down barriers and ensuring everyone has access to quality healthcare,” he explained.
The Mak RTI Mobile App represents a significant advancement in leveraging technology to address public health challenges. As more people embrace the digital platform, the hope is that the app will contribute to better reproductive health outcomes and foster a more informed and proactive approach to health care.
About RTIs
The Head of Clinical Services at Makerere University Hospital, Dr Hassan Mulema, said they mostly tend to receive young patients, “who come with problems such as itching of their genitals or to complain about the pain they experience while urinating.”
According to Dr Mulema, RTIs can be classified under three categories; sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea and syphilis, and overgrowth of endogenous [proceeding from within] microorganisms normally found inside the vagina such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.
The third group of RTIs may be caused by medical interventions that may provoke infections in several ways.
“Organisms from outside the body can be introduced into the upper genital tract during medical procedures if the infection control is poor,” Dr Mulema said.
Though the infections can affect males and females, the burden of untreated RTIs is especially seen in women as these infections do not easily show signs.
“The individual [in this case, the woman] can end up getting repeated infections which can then lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, leading to blockage of the tubes, causing fertility issues and inability to give birth,” Dr Mulema explained.
“But even if the mother manages to get pregnant and she gets an RTI, the unborn baby may get it, a case in point, syphilis, gonorrhea,” he added.
Some of these RTIs, Dr Mulema elaborated, are also associated with cancers, for example, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can easily affect the cervix, and someone ends up getting cervical cancer or cancer of the penis (for men).
Although there is limited data on the current prevalence of RTIs in the country, Prof Byamugisha said from their studies, bacterial vaginosis, an abnormal vaginal discharge caused by overgrowth of bacteria, was a common RTI detected among women.
“But regardless of what the infection is, they should be taken seriously,” Prof Byamugisha said, adding, “It should be treated very fast and aggressively so that the long-term complications do not arise.”
The medical experts advise the public to observe healthy practices such as wearing condoms as well as observing ideal bathing and toilet practices, as part of the preventive measures.
The application was developed with funding from the government under the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund. The amount of funding was, however, not disclosed.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
