Data Collection

Mobile data collection is the use of mobile technology for surveys, surveillance and monitoring. These field activities may be well served by the portability, communication speed and computing capacity of mobile devices.Mobile data collection can draw from various sources. This section provides exemplary resources specifically on interviewer-administered and self-administered data collection.

Resources include guides on mobile data collection, planning considerations on evidence and lessons learned, as well as examples and evaluations of mobile data collection organized by type. At this early stage of mobile data collection, limited or mixed evidence is available for effectiveness in developing countries.To discuss these approaches or suggest other information sources, please go to the discussion board of the mHealth Toolkit.

Guidelines For Adoption And Development

Planning Mobile Data Collection: Evidence And Lessons Learned

Interviewer-Administered Collection

Self-Administered Collection

Additional Information Sources For Data Collection

Guidelines for Adoption and Development

Guidelines for planning if and how to develop mobile data collection.

FrontlineSMS User Guide on Data Integrity

2011 | FrontlineSMS | Pages: 60

English

The purpose of this guide is to provide FrontlineSMS users designing, implementing, and monitoring programs with data integrity concerns in mind with a data integrity framework. The guide is intended to help users to understand, analyze, and address the vulnerabilities, risks and threats that can affect the integrity of the information communicated through the FrontlineSMS platform

2011 | Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS | 245-50 (6 pgs)

Link to article

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we describe the challenges faced by using clinical cohorts to perform Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and the possible solutions for increasing and strengthening health systems in low-income and middle-income countries. RECENT FINDINGS: HIV scale-up has facilitated the transition from paper-based medical records to electronic medical records at hundreds of sites in most of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the implementation of national HIV databases.

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Mobile Phones for Data Collection

2009 | MobileActive

Website Link

Summary: This article looks at choosing a mobile data collection solution, from defining the information requirements to choosing the most appropriate technology strategy for a specific organizational context and communication environment. There is also a reviews of a selection of commercial and non-commercial tools and components for mobile data collection.

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Preassessment Questions- Gather

2009 | AED Satellife | Pages: 2

English

This document is a needs-assessment for deteriming factors and logistics of a mobile data collection project. It determines the scope, skills, infrastructure, time frame, devices, and wireless services required for mobile data collection.

2002 | Proceedings AMIA Symposium | Pages: 12-16

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DOI

Abstract: We describe a handheld-based electronic medical record (EMR) for use in certain rural settings. The system is based on the Linux operating system and allows access to large mobile databases. The open source system is designed for paramedical health workers serving remote areas in rural India. A PDA loaded with the handheld-based EMR provides workers who have little access to medical doctors with different kinds of decision support and alerts. It addresses two important problems in developing countries: prenatal care and child health.

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Planning Mobile Data Collection: Evidence and Lessons Learned (13 resources)

Summary and links for evidence and lessons learned in mobile data collection.

Interviewer-Administered Collection

This section displays resources on interviewer-administered or staff-administered data collection for surveys and surveillance.

SMS for Life: An RBM Initiative

Current | Roll Back Malaria

Website link

Summary: The SMS for Life initiative is a new 'public-private' project that harnesses everyday technology to eliminate stock-outs and improve access to essential medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. If successful, this project could have far-reaching beneficial implications for existing health systems. Stock-outs of any number of essential health commodities could be eliminated by this innovative process and enable timely tracking and management of supplies and their delivery to the communities where they are needed most.

2011 | American Academy of Dermatology | 8

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Teledermatology is the use of modern telecommunications technology to provide dermatological care from a remote location. To date, the vast majority of teledermatological studies have taken place in industrialized countries. However, the expansion of teledermatology into resource-limited settings has been hampered by the requirement for internet connectivity in computers. Newer-generation mobile telephones with specialized software and wireless connectivity are possibility to overcome this digital divide.

2011 | The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | 26-33. (8 pp)

Link to article

Quality health management requires timely and accurate data, and paper-based reporting does not fill this role adequately. The introduction of malaria rapid diagnostic tests and the availability of wireless communications present an opportunity to open direct data transmission and feedback between peripheral health workers and central managers. In November 2009, the Uganda Ministry of Health deployed a short message service-based reporting system in two districts.

2010 | Malar J. 9: 237 (14pgs). | 14

The study sought to assess use of cell-phones in a routine malaria prevention and control program, to improve the management of malaria cases on the Thai-Cambodian border. The program used both web-based and mobile interfaces to replace the existing paper-based activities previously used by staff used their patients clients. After a patient was detected and registered onto the system, case-investigation and treatment details were recorded into the database as a part of a wider monitoring program.

2010 | American Journal of Preventative Medicine | 78-80 (3 pgs)

Link to article

The rapid adoption of mobile phones among users in the developing countries has facilitated better access to care for at-risk populations including tuberculosis (TB) patients. The Stop TB Partnership’s Direct Observation of Treatment (DOT) initiated a mobile iteration of its program or Mobile Direct Observation of Treatment (MDOT). The DOT regimen normally requires a healthcare professional to oversee a TB patient face-to-face take medication.

2010 | Malaria Journal 9:96 | 1-7

PubMed

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Effective malaria control depends on timely acquisition of information on new cases, their location and their frequency so as to deploy supplies, plan interventions or focus attention on specific locations appropriately to intervene and prevent an upsurge in transmission. The process is known as active case detection, but because the information is time sensitive, it is difficult to carry out.

2009 | Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 103: 638-640. | 3

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Data collection: interviewer –administered; training: Guides

2009 | International Journal of Medical Informatics | Pages: 721-31

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PubMed

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Handheld computers (personal digital assistant, PDA) have the potential to reduce the logistic burden, cost, and error rate of paper-based health research data collection, but there is a lack of appropriate software. The present work describes the development and evaluation of PDACT, a Personal Data Collection Toolset (www.healthware.org/pdact/index.htm) for the Palm Pilot handheld computer for interviewer-administered and respondent-administered data collection.

2009 | International Journal of Infectious Diseases | Pages: 410-418

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PubMed

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a personal digital assistant (PDA)-based system for collecting tuberculosis test results and to compare this new system to the previous paper-based system. The PDA- and paper-based systems were evaluated based on processing times, frequency of errors, and number of work-hours expended by data collectors. METHODS: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in 93 health establishments in Peru. Baseline data were collected for 19 months.

2009 | International Journal of Medical Informatics | Pages: 532-42

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Pubmed

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: EpiData and Epi Info are often used together by public health agencies around the world, particularly in developing countries, to meet their needs of low-cost public health data management; however, the current open source data management technology lacks a mobile component to meet the needs of mobile public health data collectors. The goal of this project is to explore the opportunity of filling this gap through developing and trial of a personal digital assistant (PDA) based data collection/entry system.

2009 | American Journal of Epidemiology | Pages: 120-129

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PubMed

Abstract: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2004, the Pediatric Dengue Cohort Study was established in Managua, Nicaragua, to study the natural history and transmission of dengue in children. Here, the authors describe the study design, methods, and results from 2004 to 2008. Initially, 3,721 children 2-9 years of age were recruited through door-to-door visits. Each year, new children aged 2 years are enrolled in the study to maintain the age structure.

2009 | BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 9: 51 | 1

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In the context of poor research infrastructure, large-scale paper-based data collection has been mired by challenges such as errors, prohibitive costs, and additional time needed for data entry. A study was developed to assess the feasibility to which community health workers (CHWs) can be trained to use mobile phones as data collection instruments for a baseline survey. The study was conducted in a peri-urban setting in South Africa and none of the CHWs had experience in data collection but all had mobiles.

2008 | PLoS ONE | 7 pp

Link to article

Based on recent World Health Organization reports, almost three quarters of the world population does not have access to medical imaging. The lack of maintenance and spare parts of medical imaging equipment is cited as one of the reasons for lack of access primarily in developing countries. The WHO recommends a shift from self-contained medical imaging systems to a less expensive and technically difficult option centered around cellular phone technology for a patient-centric design.

2008 | BioMed Central | Pages: 7

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Pubmed

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Infectious disease surveillance is a primary public health function in resource-limited settings. In 2003, an electronic disease surveillance system (Alerta) was established in the Peruvian Navy with support from the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment (NMRCD). Many challenges arose during the implementation process, and a variety of solutions were applied. The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss these issues. METHODS : This is a retrospective description of the Alerta implementation.

2008 | Annals of Family Medicine | Pages: 154-160

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PubMed

Abstract: PURPOSE: We compared the completeness of data collection using paper forms and using electronic forms loaded on handheld computers in an office-based patient interview survey conducted within the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network. METHODS: We asked 19 medical assistants and nurses in family practices to administer a survey about pneumococcal immunizations to 60 older adults each, 30 using paper forms and 30 using electronic forms on handheld computers.

2008 | Tropical medicine & international health: TM & IH | Pages: Supp1:25-30.

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Pubmed

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To assess our experiences of using hand-held computers (personal digital assistants, PDAs) for direct data capture in a large community-based geo-referenced survey in rural Burkina Faso, highlighting benefits and lessons learnt from their use. METHODS: A population-based geo-referenced survey of over 500 000 people was undertaken using PDAs with in-built GPS receivers and the resulting database analysed in terms of successful completion, error rates and interview durations.

2008 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Pages: 11

English

Abstract: While mobile phones have found broad application in reporting health, financial, and environmental data, there has been little study of the possible errors incurred during mobile data collection. This paper provides the first (to our knowledge) quantitative evaluation of data entry accuracy on mobile phones in a resource-poor setting.

2008 | Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 5342-5345 | 4

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The development of new information and communication technologies has enabled greater health service provision through such novel concepts as telemedicine. Telemedicine has been vital toward supporting patient diagnosis and treatment. A ICU/CCU Remote Monitoring System on 3G-enabled phones was developed to enhance telemedicine conditions. Four key functions include Real-time Waveform Monitoring, List Trend Monitoring, Graph Trend Monitoring and Patient Information Checking. Evaluations of the system were done on several phone to assess generalizability.

2008 | The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | Pages: 311-315

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PubMed

Abstract: Clinical studies and trials require accessibility of large amounts of high-quality information in a timely manner, often daily. The integrated application of information technologies can greatly improve quality control as well as facilitate compliance with established standards such as Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

2008 | Bulletin of the World Health Organization | Pages: 740-741

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Pubmed

Summary: This is an editorial looking at the advantages and challenges faced in making use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for routine data collection in low income countries. It refers to a particular study in Angola where they compared using a paper and pencil survey to a PDA survey. They found that there is a difference in response rate that could be due to lack of information about ICT in low income countries. It also includes useful steps to take for introducing ICT into a low income country setting.

2008 | AIDS Patient Care and STDs | 173-174. (2pgs)

Link to article

The Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) has piloted a mHealth initiative with peer health workers (PHWs) for a rural ART program in Rakai, Uganda. PHWs are assigned between 15 and 20 patients for biweekly home visits. Nine PHWs were trained send to SMS messages with clinical and adherence data for higher-ranked providers. The pilot found that mobile phone were a simple support strategy in capturing data and following-up with adherence to home-based ART treatment. The system was optimal for heightened communication between PHWs and higher-level providers.

2008 | Global Public Health | Pages: 93-104

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PubMed

Abstract: We compared the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) against the use of standard paper questionnaires for collecting survey data. The evaluation consisted of qualitative approaches to document the process of introducing PDAs. Fieldwork was carried out during June-July 2005 at 12 sites in Bolivia. Data collectors reacted positively to the use of the PDAs and noted the advantages and disadvantages of paper and PDA data collection. A number of difficulties encountered in the use of PDA technology serve as a warning for investigators planning its adoption.

2006 | AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings | Pages: 991

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PubMed

Abstract: Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are extending how we use software normally associated with desktop and laptop computers. As interface design improves and specialized software becomes available, health professionals are choosing to usePDAs. A logical next step to use PDAs is in remote areas where electronic data collection is needed and electricity is limited. A test of PDAs', equipped with global positioning system, ability to improve household surveys in rural Mozambique was completed in February 2006.

2006 | Mahwah | Pages: 375-393

English

Summary: This chapter describes an application of telehealth using cell phones and the Internet to collect, transmit and monitor data in real-time from female sex workers (FSW) who are part of a large project in Peru to reduce sexually transmitted diseases (STD). According to a national survey conducted in Peru of 4479 FSW in 2002, the prevalence of STDs and bacterial vaginosis was 26% and 34% respectively (PREVEN, 2003).

2006 | African Journal of Medicine and Medical Science | 149-152. (4 pp)

Link to article

Data collection and management in resource-limited settings are hampered by the lack of infrastructure. The use of mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) can strengthen data collection even in the most remote health facilities. The study extended technology-based support for a comprehensive HIV program. Tools in the study included the use of PDAs to capture patient data and the use of mobile phones to transmit data to a central database.

2005 | AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings | Pages: 176-180

PubMed |

Website Link

Abstract: With more clinical trials involving evaluations of new drugs or vaccines, monitoring for early detection of adverse events is essential. The overall goal of this study was to develop an interactive-computer system using cell phones for real-time collection and transmission of adverse events related to metronidazole administration among female sex workers (FSW) in Peru. We developed an application for cell phones in Spanish, called Cell-PREVEN, based on a system from Voxiva Inc.

2004 | Sage Publications | Pages: 352-375

DOI

Abstract: Quantitative behavioral observation can add a great deal of depth to anthropological research. The development of laptops, handheld computers, and observational software has given researchers enhanced flexibility in sampling strategies and assistance in training and establishing reliability; it has also greatly reduced the amount of time required for data entry.

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Self-Administered Collection

This section displays resources on self-administered data collection for surveys.

Community attitudes to the appropriation of mobile phones for monitoring and managing depression, anxiety, and stress

2010 | J Med Internet Res. 12: e64.

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Self-monitoring mental health and symptoms of associated disease have yielded many benefits. However, paper-based monitoring from patients is neither effective nor efficient. Mobile phone-monitoring has been explored as an alternative. The study investigates community reception of mobile phone use for self-management and monitoring of mental health. A mixed method approach was used to understand attitudes including in-depth interviews (n=20), focus-group discussions (n=47), and an online survey (n=525).

2010 | Telemedicine Journal & eHealth | 603-607 (5 pp)

Link to article

The article assesses end-to-end remote blood-pressure monitoring of patients with chronic condition, as a result of increased prevalence in hypertension and diabetes. The end-to-end process in done in three steps including the mobile phone-based collection of blood pressure readings, clinicians receiving data on a web-based interface, and finally clinicians provides remote care to patients through assessment of readers. The study found though that large-scale adoption in hospitals is not possible at this time due to constraints in resources.

2009 | European Journal of Epidemiology | Pages: 73-81

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Pubmed

Abstract: This study compared the use of Short Message Service (SMS) on mobile phones and the use of telephone interviews in collecting self-reported data about influenza vaccination. Through random selection from the Swedish population registry, 2,400 individuals were assigned to be contacted through SMS (SMS-group), and 2,150 were assigned to undergo personal telephone interviews (TI-group). Both groups were asked three questions about influenza and influenza vaccination.

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