Experiences Using Mobile Phone Surveys to Monitor and Evaluate the Distribution of Health Services in Sierra Leone
Mary H. Hodges *
Helen Keller International, P.O.Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Turay
Helen Keller International, P.O.Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fatmata Fatima Sesay
Helen Keller International, P.O.Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Habib Kamara
Helen Keller International, P.O.Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Bah
Helen Keller International, P.O.Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Jusufu Paye
Helen Keller International, P.O.Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Heather Katcher
Helen Keller International Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya.
Jessica Blankenship
Helen Keller International Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: Evidence-based programs to reduce child mortality and morbidity such as twice-yearly vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and mass drug administration (MDA) for neglected tropical diseases require real-time coverage data to ensure that all populations are reached with equitable coverage.
Methods: The EpiSurveyor platform was introduced in 2011 for 'in' and 'end' process monitoring of VAS distribution and MDA for lymphatic filariasis (LF), and was later used in 2012 for a LQAS of the supplementary measles immunization program. In 2013, the Magpi platform was piloted for VAS distribution and MDA-LF, and the CommCare platform was piloted for routine reporting of MDA.
Results: Twelve nation-wide surveys were conducted with a total of 266 enumerators and 59,465 respondents. Data compilation was available to the account administrator within 48 hours of field-work completion with all three applications. The CommCare platform had several benefits over EpiSurveyor/Magpi: (1) faster programming of skip logic with a friendlier interface (2) ability of the administrator to respond to an enumerator via SMS from the server (3) a prompt for photo evidence and/or Global Positioning System (4) automatic server-input synchronization during network availability (5) ability to program an 'other' category for questions allowing multiple responses.
Conclusions: Monitoring and evaluation was enhanced in timeliness and data quality by all three applications. CommCare was found to be more comprehensive and user-friendly compared with EpiSurveyor and Magpi.