scholarly journals Going Digital – Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI): Lessons learned from a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Harris ◽  
Alexia Pretari
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Digital Computer ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Survey Technique ◽  
Collection Practices ◽  
Remote Data

In this sixth instalment of the Going Digital Series, we share our experiences of using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) software, which was researched and piloted following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent need for improved remote data collection practices. CATI is a survey technique in which interviews are conducted via a phone call, using an electronic device to follow a survey script and enter the information collected. This paper looks at the experience of piloting the technique in phone interviews with women in Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq.

scholarly journals Selfie consents, remote rapport, and Zoom debriefings: collecting qualitative data amid a pandemic in four resource-constrained settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e004193
Author(s):  
Mark Donald C Reñosa ◽  
Chanda Mwamba ◽  
Ankita Meghani ◽  
Nora S West ◽  
Shreya Hariyani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Target Populations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Rich Data ◽  
Remote Data

In-person interactions have traditionally been the gold standard for qualitative data collection. The COVID-19 pandemic required researchers to consider if remote data collection can meet research objectives, while retaining the same level of data quality and participant protections. We use four case studies from the Philippines, Zambia, India and Uganda to assess the challenges and opportunities of remote data collection during COVID-19. We present lessons learned that may inform practice in similar settings, as well as reflections for the field of qualitative inquiry in the post-COVID-19 era. Key challenges and strategies to overcome them included the need for adapted researcher training in the use of technologies and consent procedures, preparation for abbreviated interviews due to connectivity concerns, and the adoption of regular researcher debriefings. Participant outreach to allay suspicions ranged from communicating study information through multiple channels to highlighting associations with local institutions to boost credibility. Interviews were largely successful, and contained a meaningful level of depth, nuance and conviction that allowed teams to meet study objectives. Rapport still benefitted from conventional interviewer skills, including attentiveness and fluency with interview guides. While differently abled populations may encounter different barriers, the included case studies, which varied in geography and aims, all experienced more rapid recruitment and robust enrollment. Reduced in-person travel lowered interview costs and increased participation among groups who may not have otherwise attended. In our view, remote data collection is not a replacement for in-person endeavours, but a highly beneficial complement. It may increase accessibility and equity in participant contributions and lower costs, while maintaining rich data collection in multiple study target populations and settings.

scholarly journals Design and Field Methods of the ARISE Network COVID-19 Rapid Monitoring Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena C. Hemler ◽  
Michelle L. Korte ◽  
Bruno Lankoande ◽  
Ourohiré Millogo ◽  
Nega Assefa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significant health and economic ramifications across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data regarding its far-reaching impacts are severely lacking, thereby hindering the development of evidence-based strategies to mitigate its direct and indirect health consequences. To address this need, the Africa Research, Implementation Science, and Education (ARISE) Network established a mobile survey platform in SSA to generate longitudinal data regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 prevention and management and to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on health and socioeconomic domains. We conducted a baseline survey of 900 healthcare workers, 1,795 adolescents 10 to 19 years of age, and 1,797 adults 20 years or older at six urban and rural sites in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. Households were selected using sampling frames of existing Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems or national surveys when possible. Healthcare providers in urban areas were sampled using lists from professional associations. Data were collected through computer-assisted telephone interviews from July to November 2020. Consenting participants responded to surveys assessing KAP and the impact of the pandemic on nutrition, food security, healthcare access and utilization, lifestyle, and mental health. We found that mobile telephone surveys can be a rapid and reliable strategy for data collection during emergencies, but challenges exist with response rates. Maintaining accurate databases of telephone numbers and conducting brief baseline in-person visits can improve response rates. The challenges and lessons learned from this effort can inform future survey efforts during COVID-19 and other emergencies, as well as remote data collection in SSA in general.

scholarly journals HIV Bio-behavioral Risk Study Implementation in Resource-poor Military Settings

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy M. Endres-Dighe ◽  
Lauren Courtney ◽  
Tonya Farris
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Staff Retention ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Study Implementation ◽  
Administration Method ◽  
High Level

ObjectiveWe present lessons learned from over a decade of HIV bio-behavioral risk study implementation and capacity-building inAfrican militaries.IntroductionCircumstances within the military environment may place militarypersonnel at increased risk of contracting sexually transmittedinfections (STI) including HIV. HIV bio-behavioral risk studiesprovide a critical source of data to estimate HIV/STI prevalenceand identify risk factors, allowing programs to maximize impact byfocusing on the drivers of the epidemic.MethodsSince 2005, RTI has provided technical assistance (TA) to supportHIV/STI Seroprevalence and Behavioral Epidemiology Risk Surveys(SABERS) in 14 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.SABERS are cross-sectional studies consisting of a survey to assessknowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to HIV, coupled with rapidtesting for HIV and other STIs. RTI tailored each survey instrument tobe culturally appropriate in content and methodology, trained militarypersonal to serve as data collection staff, and provided logisticalsupport for study implementation.ResultsKey lessons learned are summarized below:Data collection mode varied from paper-based to computer-assisted surveys, depending on country preference, in-country staffcapabilities, and the country’s technological capacity. Computer-assisted data collection systems were preferable because theyimproved data quality through the use of programmed skip patterns,range, and consistency checks. By eliminating the need for data entry,computer-assisted systems also saved program resources and enabledfaster access to the data for analysis.Survey administration method varied from self-administeredto interviewer-administered surveys. Literacy rates, technologicalfamiliarity, and confidentiality concerns were key drivers indetermining the best data collection method. Self-administeredsurveys such as computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) werepreferable due to the high-level of confidentiality they provide,but required a high-level of literacy and computer familiarity.If confidentiality was a big concern in low-literacy settings, audiocomputer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) was used if the populationhad some computer familiarity. Interviewer-administered surveyssuch as computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) were used inmost low-literacy settings.Tailoring the survey instrument and administration for culturalappropriateness was vital to the acquisition of sound, viable data.Sexual behaviors and the definition of “regular sexual partner”and other terms varied according to local custom. The sensitivenature of the survey questions also impacted survey administrationoperationally. The preference for same-sex or opposite sexinterviewers varied by country and military setting. It was imperativeto pre-test the survey.A skilled workforce and staff retention are essential to providehigh quality data. Literacy levels, technological familiarity, HIVknowledge, and time commitments must all be considered whenselecting data collection staff. Retention of staff throughout theduration of data collection activities can be a major issue especiallyamong military personnel who were often called away from studyactivities to perform military duties.Host military ownership was integral to the success of the SABERSprogram. By engaging military leadership early and involving themin all decision making processes we ensured the partner military wasinvested in the study and its success and found value in the resultingdata and findings. Host militaries were actively involved in SABERSby providing staff for data collection, leading sensitization activities,and monitoring data collection activities in the field.Inclusion of capacity building elements during studyimplementation led to increased host military buy-in. Capacitybuilding included staff trainings and practical experience in surveymethodology, use of electronic data collection instruments, studylogistics and data monitoring.Confidentiality of survey data and HIV test results was of increasedconcern given that these studies were conducted in a work placeenvironment. For this reason, it was imperative to assure participantsthat disclosures of drug or alcohol use and positive HIV/STI testresults would remain confidential and would not affect their militaryemployment.ConclusionsBased on our experience, the following are required for thesuccessful implementation of an HIV Bio-behavioral Risk Study inresource-poor military settings: (1) selection of a data collection modeand survey administration method that is context-appropriate, (2)utilization of local wording and customs, (3) a skilled workforce, (4)local buy-in/partnership, (5) inclusion of capacity building elements,and (6) assurance of confidentiality.

scholarly journals Remote Data Collection Through the ASTHMAXcel Mobile Application, and Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. AB117
Author(s):  
Brian Hsia ◽  
Anjani Singh ◽  
Obumneme Njeze ◽  
Emine Cosar ◽  
Savneet Kaur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Remote Data

scholarly journals Partnering with healthcare facilities to understand psychosocial distress screening practices among cancer survivors: pilot study implications for study design, recruitment, and data collection

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Ng ◽  
M. Shayne Gallaway ◽  
Grace C. Huang ◽  
Theresa Famolaro ◽  
Jennifer Boehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Remote Access ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Study Staff ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Treatment Facilities

Abstract Background We sought to understand barriers and facilitators to implementing distress screening (DS) of cancer patients to inform and promote uptake in cancer treatment facilities. We describe the recruitment and data collection challenges and recommendations for assessing DS in oncology treatment facilities. Methods We recruited CoC-accredited facilities and collected data from each facility’s electronic health record (EHR). Collected data included cancer diagnosis and demographics, details on DS, and other relevant patient health data. Data were collected by external study staff who were given access to the facility’s EHR system, or by facility staff working locally within their own EHR system. Analyses are based on a pilot study of 9 facilities. Results Challenges stemmed from being a multi-facility-based study and local institutional review board (IRB) approval, facility review and approval processes, and issues associated with EHR systems and the lack of DS data standards. Facilities that provided study staff remote-access took longer for recruitment; facilities that performed their own extraction/abstraction took longer to complete data collection. Conclusion Examining DS practices and follow-up among cancer survivors necessitated recruiting and working directly with multiple healthcare systems and facilities. There were a number of lessons learned related to recruitment, enrollment, and data collection. Using the facilitators described in this manuscript offers increased potential for working successfully with various cancer centers and insight into partnering with facilities collecting non-standardized DS clinical data.

scholarly journals Costing interventions in the field: preliminary cost estimates and lessons learned from an evaluation of community-wide mass drug administration for elimination of soil-transmitted helminths in the DeWorm3 trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e049734
Author(s):  
Katya Galactionova ◽  
Maitreyi Sahu ◽  
Samuel Paul Gideon ◽  
Saravanakumar Puthupalayam Kaliappan ◽  
Chloe Morozoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Mass Drug Administration ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Data Quality Control ◽  
Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Rich Data

ObjectiveTo present a costing study integrated within the DeWorm3 multi-country field trial of community-wide mass drug administration (cMDA) for elimination of soil-transmitted helminths.DesignTailored data collection instruments covering resource use, expenditure and operational details were developed for each site. These were populated alongside field activities by on-site staff. Data quality control and validation processes were established. Programmed routines were used to clean, standardise and analyse data to derive costs of cMDA and supportive activities.SettingField site and collaborating research institutions.Primary and secondary outcome measuresA strategy for costing interventions in parallel with field activities was discussed. Interim estimates of cMDA costs obtained with the strategy were presented for one of the trial sites.ResultsThe study demonstrated that it was both feasible and advantageous to collect data alongside field activities. Practical decisions on implementing the strategy and the trade-offs involved varied by site; trialists and local partners were key to tailoring data collection to the technical and operational realities in the field. The strategy capitalised on the established processes for routine financial reporting at sites, benefitted from high recall and gathered operational insight that facilitated interpretation of the estimates derived. The methodology produced granular costs that aligned with the literature and allowed exploration of relevant scenarios. In the first year of the trial, net of drugs, the incremental financial cost of extending deworming of school-aged children to the whole community in India site averaged US$1.14 (USD, 2018) per person per round. A hypothesised at-scale routine implementation scenario yielded a much lower estimate of US$0.11 per person treated per round.ConclusionsWe showed that costing interventions alongside field activities offers unique opportunities for collecting rich data to inform policy toward optimising health interventions and for facilitating transfer of economic evidence from the field to the programme.Trial registration numberNCT03014167; Pre-results.

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