University students develop app to detect bacterial vaginosis

By Billy Rwothungeyo

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection which occurs when the normal balance  inside a vagina changes. It often manifests in awkward vaginal discharges and odour.

BV increases a woman’s chances of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Five female friends, all students of Makerere University, have developed a mobile app, named the BV-kit, to tackle the condition.

Margaret Nanyombi, Jackline Namanda Kaweesi, Esther Ndagire and Pauline Nairuba — all third year Information Technology students and Bridget Mendoza, a first year student of electrical engineering make the team.

How the app works

The mobile app works in tandem with a hardware stick which is a PH sensor.

“You put the hardware stick in a urine sample and it measures the pH levels. The app then shows you the results. If you are sick, the app will tell you that you need to see a specialist,” explains Nanyombi, the team leader.

The level of pH in the urine determines whether it is a base solution or dilute acid. A pH between 4.0 to 4.5 means good health, but between 4.5 and 5.2 means something is not right.

 “If your condition is bad, the app also lets you know the nearest place where to see a doctor who handles female reproductive health issues,” she explains. “If your infection is mild, it shows you possible signs and symptoms,” Nanyombi says.

One kit can be shared with other women.

Mendoza chips in: “If you are healthy, the app will give you tips on how to remain so, for example eat yoghurt, wear dry panties, and do not wear very tight clothes.”

Ndagire says they got information about the disease from Nsambya Hospital.  They, however need funds to develop the hardware for the app.

It is still in infant stages, though, but they are on track.

getting the innovation off the ground to be sustainable is a daunting challenge.

Nanyombi says the app is not yet on the cloud as they are still looking for funds to make this happen, so you may have to wait for a while before the app pops up on your Google play store or Windows’ app store.

Furthermore, the group is yet to get the bulk of the hardware that has to work with the mobile app. They are exploring several funding mechanisms so that they can import the hardware into the country.

“The software is ready; we just need to get the hardware for us to roll this out on a massive scale,” says Namanda.

“We are open to partnering with people. It is hard to do the development of the kit and then selling it all by ourselves, we may need to get good partners to help us.”

The graphics designer says the group is exploring different options of securing funding to order for the hardware in bulk.

“We are also trying to enter different competitions so that we can get funding. We have also shot a pitch video which has been uploaded on YouTube to appeal to funders outside this country. ”

The friends, who started working on the app in January, are not fazed by the hurdles.

 “We shall scale this app, we are very certain about it. Women in this country deserve better reproductive health,” says Nairuba.

The innovators

The group members have distinct roles: Mendoza is the hardware specialist, Namanda is the graphics designer, Ndagire is a programmer, while Nairuba is the team’s researcher.

Related to the story

Student’s bicycle phone charger to help the poor

Makerere University successfully tests electric car