Enhancing field case management with the mobile Record Detail View

Introduction

The mobile Record Detail View in ActivityInfo brings together key pieces of information into one scrollable and structured layout that is optimized for work using the ActivityInfo mobile app. It combines components such as the heading for identifying key information about a record, a field list highlighting important fields, a calculated table providing summaries of related subforms, and a navigation section that allows the user to access deeper details about the parent record. On the ActivityInfo mobile app, the user can add a new record, navigate to previous records, and also sort the records.

This functionality is especially valuable for case management programs in a region, where frontline workers support households that are at risk of preventable diseases. One such program aims to reduce the spread of malaria among vulnerable populations, specifically pregnant women and children below the age of five. Community Health Workers, also called CHWs, conduct regular household visits, deliver preventive services, and record each action they take. The mobile Record Detail View provides them with a reliable way to manage cases.

This case study illustrates how CHWs use the mobile Record Detail View to register households, perform interventions, capture evidence, schedule follow ups, and maintain accurate case records in a streamlined workflow.

Database design

The setup includes a parent form called Household Visits and a linked subform called Interventions.

The Household Registration form collects information about each household that the CHW visits. This includes the visit date, name of the contact person, the phone number, the number of people in the household, the number of pregnant women, the number of children under five, the number of beds, and the village where the household is located. These fields give structure to each visit and provide the foundation for case management.

The Interventions subform captures the specific actions taken during the visit. Each intervention entry can include the intervention date, the type of intervention, the number of children involved, evidence of service such as photos or signatures, the need for future follow-up, and the name of the CHW who carried out the intervention. Each intervention is recorded under the relevant household, and one household can have multiple interventions.

Starting a household visit

A CHW arrives in Village X to conduct routine household visits. Using ActivityInfo on a mobile device, a pre-designed Record Detail View has been set as the default view for the Household Registration form. This allows the CHW to quickly locate the household they are visiting by navigating through the records by tapping on the ‘Navigate records’ button allowing them to search.

Registering a new household and recording an intervention

If the household has not been registered, the CHW registers it through the same view by tapping the ‘Add record’ button. Each field appears in a step-by-step flow beginning with the registration date, name of the household contact person, the phone number, the gender of the contact person, the region, the village, the number of people in the household, the number of pregnant women, the number of children below the age of five and the number of beds. The CHW taps the ‘Next’ button on the bottom right of the screen to move to the next field.

This continues until all the fields have been completed, after which the CHW can proceed to record an intervention through the Interventions subform. If there is no intervention offered, the CHW can tap the Submit record button to register the household.

The CHW selects the intervention date and the type of intervention. The Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) distribution and _Malaria Testing _ options include relevance rules that display additional fields to collect information about the number of nets provided or the number of children who were vaccinated.

The CHW can attach evidence such as photos of the nets issued or a signature from the household contact person for accountability and audit purposes. If a follow-up is required, the CHW enters the date agreed upon with the household contact person.

Submitting the household visit

After the intervention has been completed, the CHW selects their name as the Attending CHW and enters any additional notes regarding the intervention offered.

The CHW proceeds to tap the Submit record button.

Reviewing the summary of the intervention

The CHW can view the summary of intervention by tapping show full row and by navigating left or right in cases where multiple interventions have been recorded for the same household.

Reviewing the full intervention record and adding an intervention

Once a CHW selects a household (parent record), they can view the full details of the interventions by tapping the _Interventions _ button at the bottom of the screen. This opens the Interventions subform. The CHW can also edit the record by tapping the Edit record button.

Conclusion

The mobile Record Detail View brings all household information and follow-up needs together in a single organized interface, allowing CHWs to work efficiently in the field. It supports fast data entry and provides a simple navigation experience that helps CHWs search for households, review key details, and add new interventions, which strengthens the continuity of care. It also provides a clear and navigable intervention history by consolidating essential information into one interface, ensuring that CHWs can understand what has been done and what still needs to happen during the course of case management.