Comp1682 Final Year Project

Literature Review

MyCOVID App for Blantyre Adventist Hospital (BAH)

Student Name: Thabo Shaka Kuwali

Banner Id: 001169822

BSc (Hons) Computing (Information Systems)

Supervisor: Mr. Nahumu

Due Date: 9/07/2021

Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Similar system.......................................................................................................................................3
Summary.........................................................................................................................................13
Technological Review..........................................................................................................................14
References...........................................................................................................................................17
Introduction
A literature review is a comprehensive examination of available literature on a specific topic. In brief
literature review could be described as an analysis and evaluation of findings by giving explanations
to what has already been discovered (Wolverhampton, 2018). Literature review’s overview gives
direction to researchers on areas that can be further researched as the overview shows what is
currently known about the topic (Denney & Tewksbury, 12). The document will review existing
mobile applications that support Covid self-management such as COVID-19 TRACKER, COVID19 -
DXB and Covid NMB, and many others. Their features will be compared and a description of missing
features will be given too. On the other hand, the technology that was used to develop the mobile
application will be given in comparison to other existing technologies. The technology will be
categorized by platform, language, database and operating system.

Covid is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with
the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without
requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like
cardiovascular disease, Covid, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop
serious illness. (Who, 2020)

The proposed system would be a website that will be turned into a mobile application that will keep
track of a patient's oxygen levels, body temperature, and other vital signs in a logbook. Patients can
keep track of their doctor-prescribed medications as well as the medications they are not taking.
Patients would be able to schedule an appointment with a specialist if they need additional assistance.
Patients will be given advice about how to cope with symptoms and sleep if they have breathing
issues. Exercises/workouts would also be allocated to them. Furthermore, the app should be able to
recommend treatments to patients based on the readings it receives from their entries, as well as
endorse a feature that allows patients to directly connect with the hospital through a Live Chat feature.
Patients can have appointment updates, appointment status, dieting plans, and workout schedules
reflected. Patients will also be able to produce reports on their health records using the websites and
mobile app. Doctors will be able to respond to appointments and prescribe medication to patients
through a web application.

Similar system
1.1.1. COVID-19 TRACKER!
 It is a mobile application developed by healthLynked to help in Covid managem

Figure 1 infected

 Contains a
dedicated page to
show number of
reported cases.
 Figure 2: infected areas.

 A page to show
all, infected
areas in the
country.
 Figure 3: Feed

 A feed page that contains covid news.

Usability and interface

 The application has a simple layout that can support easy data entry for the customers but it
lacks having a modern layout. It displays the entered data without any trouble but navigating
around the application is slightly unpleasant. The use of colours on the application is nice
because it shows uniformity when navigating around the application.

1.1.2. COVID19-DXB

It is a mobile application developed by Dubai Health Authority to help in Covid management.

 Figure
4:informati on page

 Contains a page
for how to
recognize
symptoms and
other
information.
Figure 5 chat

 Contains a chat between patient and doctor.

 Figure 6 emergency

 An emergency page, to get yourself help.

Usability and interface

 Covid19-DXB has a modern feel to the application. The way the cards displaying information
are shown is eye-catching. The way it shows recent log, adding data is quite easy and pleasant
to the patients. It is user friendly.
 The colours do not appeal as a user.
1.1.3. COVID NMB

It is a mobile application developed by Nemocnice Milosrdnych Systems to help in Covid

management.

Figure 7: Dashboard
Figure 8: Cases
Figure 9:Symptoms
Usability and interface

COVID-19 NMB aims at a simple, plain interface where white is the dominant colour throughout the
application. The options for adding data into the application were better compared to the other two.
The problem found is that in did not contain a chat feature.

Summary
All of these applications do not record a patient’s vitals (oxygen levels, blood levels) that is vital to
exercising because it determines how healthy a patient is. All applications do not have enough
medication reminders to the patients. How well can the patient manage their Covid if they aren’t
getting any notifications? (Varkey, et al., 2019). A personal analysis from the data shows that
applications are not connected to any hospitals database where doctors can also be involved in a
patient’s well-being.

To conclude, this project will be able to adhere to the gaps left in the current applications. Doctors
will still need to be referred to for medication and other treatments to help the patient. As much as
patients are making use of Covid applications for self-management, patients in Malawi will need the
awareness that such platforms exist.
Technological Review
1. Content Management Systems
1.1. WordPress

The best CMS platform is WordPress.org. It is the most widely used content management system
in the world, powering over 35% of all websites. WordPress provides you with the flexibility and
freedom to create any type of website you want (online store, auction site, membership site, etc.).
It does not necessitate any technical or coding expertise. The WordPress block editor makes
creating beautiful pages on your site a breeze. (Staff, 2021)

1.2. Joomla

Joomla is a popular free open source CMS platform that includes a variety of templates and add-
ons. It's completely free to use, but you'll need hosting and a domain name to get started. Joomla
provides you with a lot of flexibility and alternatives. It's a good option if you're making
something unique or intricate. Although Joomla is geared toward developers, you can still use it if
you don't want to write a single line of code. It's simple to make changes to your content. (Staff,
2021)

1.3. Drupal

Drupal is another open source content management system. It's the backbone of a lot of well-
known websites, including The Economist's and a number of university websites. Drupal makes it
simple to add content. Custom content types are adaptable and provide a variety of options. There
are numerous modules that you may use to enhance your website (these work like WordPress
plugins). (Staff, 2021)

2. Languages
2.1. Python

Python is, without a doubt, the most user-friendly programming language on this list. Python's
syntax is regarded to be straightforward, intuitive, and virtually English-like, making it a popular
choice for beginners, similar to Java. (Yang, 2021)

2.2. C#

C# (pronounced C Sharp) is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language based on

the C programming language. It was created by Microsoft as part of the.NET framework, which is
used to create Windows programs. C# has a syntax that is comparable to those of other C-derived
languages like C++, making it simple to learn if you're coming from another C language. C# is
 not only the language of choice for Microsoft app development, but it's also the language used by
mobile app developers on the Xamarin platform to create cross-platform apps. (Yang, 2021)

2.3. JavaScript

In today's world, it's difficult to be a software developer without using JavaScript in some
capacity. JavaScript is the most popular language among developers for the eighth year in a row,
according to Stack Overflow's 2020 Developer Survey. Nearly 70% of poll participants said they
have used JavaScript in the previous year. JavaScript, like HTML and CSS, is critical for front-
end web development. JavaScript is used by the majority of the most popular websites on the
internet, from Facebook and Twitter to Gmail and YouTube, to generate interactive web pages
and dynamically display material to visitors. (Yang, 2021)

3. Databases
3.1. Microsoft SQL server

Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most popular and widely used database management systems.
This relational database management system server is ideal for storing and retrieving many requests at
the same time. Turns raw data into actionable insights that can be delivered on any platform or device.
(Enfroy, 2021)

3.2. MySQL

MySQL is a relational database management system that is free to use. The majority of web hosting
companies include MySQL as part of their basic packages. As a result, both amateur and professional
site designers use it. It increases the scalability and security of the database. (Enfroy, 2021)

3.3. Amazon RDS

Amazon RDS is a reliable and capable relational Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) that competes with
Amazon Web Services' other capable solutions (AWS). It's a terrific fit for seasoned data scientists,
users, and digital-first businesses. Provides a dedicated secure connection and automatically backs up
data thanks to an inherent feature. (Enfroy, 2021)
Chosen Technology

WordPress has been chosen to develop the system because of its pros:

 WordPress provides you with the flexibility and freedom to create any type of website you
want (online store, auction site, membership site, etc.).
 It does not necessitate any technical or coding expertise. The WordPress block editor makes
creating beautiful pages on your site a breeze.
 You have ultimate control over how you make money online from your website.
 There are many of premium and free WordPress themes and plugins available. These allow
you to add contact forms, photo galleries, and other valuable features to your website.

Database chosen is MySQL because:

 Scalability: It improves the database's scalability and security.

 Ecommerce sites can take advantage of business-oriented complex solutions.
 Technical Support: Provides comprehensive technical assistance and defends against any
cyberattacks.
 Easily Implementable: Risks and costs are reduced. Development, deployment, and
administration of critical applications are less complicated.
 Improves data recovery capabilities.
 Those without a programming experience can rapidly pick up on the basics.

References
Chung, L., n.d. Non--Functional Requirements Functional Requirements, Dallas: Department of
Computer Science.

Denney, A. S. & Tewksbury, R., 12. How to Write a Literature Review. JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL
JUSTICE EDUCATION, Vol 1(ISSN 1051-1253), p. 1.

Enfroy, A., 2021. 12 Best Database Software and Systems of 2021 (Ultimate Guide). [Online]
Available at: https://www.adamenfroy.com/database-software
[Accessed 17 June 2021].

Jobe, W., 2013. Native Apps vs. Mobile Web Apps. iJIM , Vol 7(issue 4).

Miller, R. E., 2009. The Quest for Software Requirements. Milwaukee,WI: MavenMark Books,.

Staff, E., 2021. 15 Best and Most Popular CMS Platforms in 2021 (Compared). [Online]
Available at: https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/best-cms-platforms-compared/
[Accessed 17 June 2021].

Who, 2020. Coronavirus. [Online]

Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

Wolverhampton, U. o., 2018. Skills for Learning (Guide to report writing), Wolverhampton:
University of Wolverhampton.

Yang, D., 2021. The 9 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2021. [Online]
Available at: https://www.fullstackacademy.com/blog/nine-best-programming-languages-to-learn
[Accessed 17 June 2021].