Using iPhones for a Nationwide KAP

Survey

CRS Sierra LeoneEmily Bostick

Program Manager - Malaria

March 28, 2012

ICT4D Conference

Kigali, Rwanda

Creating Value Through ICT4D Partnerships

Project Background (1)

• Global Fund Malaria – Health Sector – National Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices Survey

• Partners – Ministry of Health and Sanitation / National Malaria Control Program / Dept. of Planning and Information, WHO, Statistics Sierra Leone

Project Background (2)

• Problem – How to efficiently collect high-quality data for national surveys for evidence-based communications strategies

• Why ICT4D? – Familiarization with electronic data collection, avoid time and error of paper, previous discussions with health professionals

ICT Solution (1)• ICT Solution (1)

• Solution – using iForm Builder / iPhone 3GS to collect data using 89 enumerators over 4 weeks

• Necessary Support – p1: introduce technology for stakeholder buy-in, build local capacity to program – p2: program, train, test, trouble shoot – p3: transfer final dataset and analyze with 100% confidence in data integrity

ICT Solution (2)

• Staff support – programming, tech, logistics

• Partnership has influenced the choice based on enthusiasm, sustainability (esp. in terms of continued expenses), choice of devices, experience with PDA randomization

https://www.google.com/fusiontables/DataSource?snapid=S403735RH_E

iFB versus Paper

iFormBuilder• Develop paper form first• Auto-calculations, skips

and verification logic• Longer training in two

steps necessary• Need backup plan• Field support line• Supervisor responsibility• Cleaner, quicker, geo-

tagged data

Paper

• Develop paper form first• Dependent on

enumerators to follow• One training with only

one format• No backup collection plan• Less field support• Supervisor responsibility• “Dirty” physical data

forms

Key Challenges (1)

• Limited support in phase 1• Timing of project activity (started before

team was fully operational; performance-based funding)

• Underestimation of time required for each activity (response rather than preparation mode)

• Communication on expected outputs

Key Challenges (2)

• Procurement and Testing from HQ• Distribution of work amongst team• Security of goods• Partners competing priorities / inability

to accept responsibility re: iPhones• Rushing led to some programming

errors• Technology solution unable to process

magnitude of data

Lessons Learned

• Partnership – involve partners early• Importance of a clear process• Necessity of resources and tools for

planning process• Importance of testing• Necessity to slow down• Necessity of longitudinal support

Sustainability

• Need trained / invested local staff• Need financial deals for partners• Need 100% guarantee that technology

is appropriate and tested choice• iFB has been able to work directly with

us to resolve issues and has offered reasonable pricing for MOHS, should they continue with this technology

Summary and Close

• Plan early• Demand support• Have a plan B and plan C• Monitor all data in process for

completion, duplicates and glitches

Thank You!

Emily Bostick

emilybostick@crs.org