Authors :
Ma. Rica Mae R. Fajardo; Jane Marie M. Matalote; Chelsie N. Quizon; Dionalyn Mae G. Galang; Jim M. Gonzales; Jodell R. Bulaclac
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 9 - September
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/33m83h4p
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/mt7kcfz2
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep1351
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
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Abstract :
Immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, yet gaps in coverage persist due
to systemic inefficiencies in record-keeping, communication, and monitoring. In rural health units (RHUs) in the Philippines,
reliance on paper-based immunization registries hinders timely reporting and contributes to missed vaccinations. This study
describes the design, development, and evaluation of KidGuard, a digital vaccination and information hub tailored for the
Peñaranda RHU in Nueva Ecija. Guided by the Design and Development Research (DDR) framework and implemented
through Agile Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), KidGuard was built with core features including electronic child
vaccination records, automated SMS reminders, and simplified reporting tools. System evaluation was conducted among
RHU staff and parents using an ISO/IEC 25010-based instrument. Results indicate substantial improvements compared to
the manual system, with highest gains in report generation speed (+3.5), transferability of records (+3.2), and communication
of schedules (+2.6). Overall, KidGuard scored within the Agree to Strongly Agree range across all eight quality dimensions,
with functionality (4.7) and usability (4.6) receiving the highest ratings. The findings affirm that a localized digital
immunization hub can address persistent challenges in rural health service delivery. By enhancing efficiency, reliability, and
communication, KidGuard not only strengthens the RHU’s immunization program but also aligns with national efforts such
as DigiVacc and global agendas like Immunization Agenda 2030. Future work should explore interoperability with national
health platforms and expansion into broader maternal and child health tracking.
Keywords :
Immunization; Digital Health; Kidguard; Rural Health Unit; Design And Development Research; Agile SDLC.
References :
- WHO. (2025). Immunization coverage — Key facts (updated 2025). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/immunization-coverage
- WHO/UNICEF. (2023). The Big Catch-Up: A global effort to boost immunization. World Health Organization.
- Immunization Agenda 2030. (2024). IA2030 Global Report 2023. World Health Organization. https://www.immunizationagenda2030.org/
- UNICEF Philippines. (2024, October 24). Philippines no longer in the top 5 list of unvaccinated children. UNICEF.
- Corpuz, J. C. G. (2024). Routine immunization for children in the Philippines: Challenges and opportunities. Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines and Immunotherapy, 12, 25151355241242804. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39044998/
- UNICEF Philippines. (2025, August 1). Department of Health, UNICEF, and the Government of Japan launch digital immunization system for children in the Philippines. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/department-health-unicef-and-government-japan-launch-digital-immunization-system
- Vann, J. C. J., Jacobson Vann, J. C., Jacobson, R. M., Coyne-Beasley, T., Asafu-Adjei, J. K., & Szilagyi, P. G. (2018). Patient reminder and recall interventions to improve immunization rates. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1(CD003941). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003941.pub3
- Secor, A.H, et.al. Wilcox, L., Sood, S., & Bahl, R. (2022). Added value of electronic immunization registries in low- and middle-income countries. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 8(1), e32455. https://doi.org/10.2196/32455
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2022). Evidence review for reminders interventions to increase the uptake of routine vaccines. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK581886/
- PATH. (2022). Introducing digital immunization information systems: Exchange and learning from Vietnam. PATH. "https://www.path.org/our-impact/resources/ideal-vietnam-project-case-study-mobile-network-operator-partnerships-action-health/
- ISO. (2011). ISO/IEC 25010:2011—Systems and software engineering—Systems and software Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE)—System and software quality models. International Organization for Standardization. https://www.iso.org/standard/35733.html
- Cruz, J. C., & Dela Cruz, A. M. (2021). Software quality evaluation of a hospital information system using ISO/IEC 25010. Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development, 25(2), 45–56.
- Kokol, P. (2022). Agile software development in healthcare: A synthetic scoping review. Applied Sciences, 12(19), 9462. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12199462
- Richey, R. C., & Klein, J. D. (2007). Design and development research: Methods, strategies, and issues. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203826034
- Philippine Statistics Authority. (2020). Census of population and housing 2020. https://psa.gov.ph/content/2020-census-population-and-housing.
Immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, yet gaps in coverage persist due
to systemic inefficiencies in record-keeping, communication, and monitoring. In rural health units (RHUs) in the Philippines,
reliance on paper-based immunization registries hinders timely reporting and contributes to missed vaccinations. This study
describes the design, development, and evaluation of KidGuard, a digital vaccination and information hub tailored for the
Peñaranda RHU in Nueva Ecija. Guided by the Design and Development Research (DDR) framework and implemented
through Agile Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), KidGuard was built with core features including electronic child
vaccination records, automated SMS reminders, and simplified reporting tools. System evaluation was conducted among
RHU staff and parents using an ISO/IEC 25010-based instrument. Results indicate substantial improvements compared to
the manual system, with highest gains in report generation speed (+3.5), transferability of records (+3.2), and communication
of schedules (+2.6). Overall, KidGuard scored within the Agree to Strongly Agree range across all eight quality dimensions,
with functionality (4.7) and usability (4.6) receiving the highest ratings. The findings affirm that a localized digital
immunization hub can address persistent challenges in rural health service delivery. By enhancing efficiency, reliability, and
communication, KidGuard not only strengthens the RHU’s immunization program but also aligns with national efforts such
as DigiVacc and global agendas like Immunization Agenda 2030. Future work should explore interoperability with national
health platforms and expansion into broader maternal and child health tracking.
Keywords :
Immunization; Digital Health; Kidguard; Rural Health Unit; Design And Development Research; Agile SDLC.