scholarly journals User Perceptions and Experiences of an Interactive Voice Response Mobile Phone Survey Pilot in Uganda: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Tweheyo ◽  
Hannah Selig ◽  
Dustin G Gibson ◽  
George William Pariyo ◽  
Elizeus Rutebemberwa
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Interactive Voice Response ◽  
World Health ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
User Perceptions ◽  
Voice Response

BACKGROUND With the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle- income countries, the World Health Organization recommended a stepwise approach of surveillance for noncommunicable diseases. This is expensive to conduct on a frequent basis and using interactive voice response mobile phone surveys has been put forth as an alternative. However, there is limited evidence on how to design and deliver interactive voice response calls that are robust and acceptable to respondents. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore user perceptions and experiences of receiving and responding to an interactive voice response call in Uganda in order to adapt and refine the instrument prior to national deployment. METHODS A qualitative study design was used and comprised a locally translated audiorecorded interactive voice response survey delivered in 4 languages to 59 purposively selected participants' mobile phones in 5 survey rounds guided by data saturation. The interactive voice response survey had modules on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, diabetes, and hypertension. After the interactive voice response survey, study staff called participants back and used a semistructured interview to collect information on the participant’s perceptions of interactive voice response call audibility, instruction clarity, interview pace, language courtesy and appropriateness, the validity of questions, and the lottery incentive. Descriptive statistics were used for the interactive voice response survey, while a framework analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS Key findings that favored interactive voice response survey participation or completion included preference for brief surveys of 10 minutes or shorter, preference for evening calls between 6 PM and 10 PM, preference for courteous language, and favorable perceptions of the lottery-type incentive. While key findings curtailing participation were suspicion about the caller’s identity, unclear voice, confusing skip patterns, difficulty with the phone interface such as for selecting inappropriate digits for both ordinary and smartphones, and poor network connectivity for remote and rural participants. CONCLUSIONS Interactive voice response surveys should be as brief as possible and considerate of local preferences to increase completion rates. Caller credibility needs to be enhanced through either masking the caller or prior community mobilization. There is need to evaluate the preferred timing of interactive voice response calls, as the finding of evening call preference is inconclusive and might be contextual.

scholarly journals User Perceptions and Experiences of an Interactive Voice Response Mobile Phone Survey Pilot in Uganda: Qualitative Study

10.2196/21671 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. e21671
Author(s):  
Raymond Tweheyo ◽  
Hannah Selig ◽  
Dustin G Gibson ◽  
George William Pariyo ◽  
Elizeus Rutebemberwa
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Interactive Voice Response ◽  
World Health ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
User Perceptions ◽  
Voice Response

Background With the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle- income countries, the World Health Organization recommended a stepwise approach of surveillance for noncommunicable diseases. This is expensive to conduct on a frequent basis and using interactive voice response mobile phone surveys has been put forth as an alternative. However, there is limited evidence on how to design and deliver interactive voice response calls that are robust and acceptable to respondents. Objective This study aimed to explore user perceptions and experiences of receiving and responding to an interactive voice response call in Uganda in order to adapt and refine the instrument prior to national deployment. Methods A qualitative study design was used and comprised a locally translated audiorecorded interactive voice response survey delivered in 4 languages to 59 purposively selected participants' mobile phones in 5 survey rounds guided by data saturation. The interactive voice response survey had modules on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, diabetes, and hypertension. After the interactive voice response survey, study staff called participants back and used a semistructured interview to collect information on the participant’s perceptions of interactive voice response call audibility, instruction clarity, interview pace, language courtesy and appropriateness, the validity of questions, and the lottery incentive. Descriptive statistics were used for the interactive voice response survey, while a framework analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Results Key findings that favored interactive voice response survey participation or completion included preference for brief surveys of 10 minutes or shorter, preference for evening calls between 6 PM and 10 PM, preference for courteous language, and favorable perceptions of the lottery-type incentive. While key findings curtailing participation were suspicion about the caller’s identity, unclear voice, confusing skip patterns, difficulty with the phone interface such as for selecting inappropriate digits for both ordinary and smartphones, and poor network connectivity for remote and rural participants. Conclusions Interactive voice response surveys should be as brief as possible and considerate of local preferences to increase completion rates. Caller credibility needs to be enhanced through either masking the caller or prior community mobilization. There is need to evaluate the preferred timing of interactive voice response calls, as the finding of evening call preference is inconclusive and might be contextual.

scholarly journals Acceptability and Use of Interactive Voice Response Mobile Phone Surveys for Noncommunicable Disease Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance in Rural Uganda: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Ssemugabo ◽  
Elizeus Rutebemberwa ◽  
Dan Kajungu ◽  
George W Pariyo ◽  
Adnan A Hyder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Interactive Voice Response ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Community Members

BACKGROUND There is need for more timely data to inform interventions that address the growing noncommunicable disease (NCD) epidemic. With a global increase in mobile phone ownership, mobile phone surveys can bridge this gap. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the acceptability and use of interactive voice response (IVR) surveys for surveillance of NCD behavioral risk factors in rural Uganda. METHODS This qualitative study employed user group testing (UGT) with community members. The study was conducted at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IM-HDSS) in Eastern Uganda. We conducted four UGTs which consisted of different categories of HDSS members: females living in urban areas, males living in urban areas, females living in rural areas, and males living in rural areas. Participants were individually sent an IVR survey, then were brought in for a group discussion using a semistructured guide. Data were analyzed thematically using directed content analysis. RESULTS Participants perceived that IVR surveys may be useful in promoting confidentiality, saving costs, and raising awareness on NCD behavioral risk factors. Due to the clarity and delivery of questions in the local language, the IVR survey was perceived as easy to use. Community members suggested scheduling surveys on specific days and sending reminders as ways to improve their use for surveillance. Social issues such as domestic violence and perceptions toward unknown calls, technological factors including poor network connections and inability to use phones, and personal issues such as lack of access to phones and use of multiple networks were identified as barriers to the acceptability and use of mobile phone surveys. However, incentives were reported to motivate people to complete the survey. CONCLUSIONS Community members reflected on contextual and sociological implications of using mobile phones for surveillance of NCD behavioral risk factors. The opportunities and challenges that affect acceptability and use of IVR surveys should be considered in designing and implementing surveillance programs for NCD risk factors.

scholarly journals Vegetable Consumption and Factors Associated with Increased Intake among College Students: A Scoping Review of the Last 10 Years

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Mello Rodrigues ◽  
Jeffery Bray ◽  
Ana Carolina Fernandes ◽  
Greyce Luci Bernardo ◽  
Heather Hartwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Family Home

Vegetable consumption is a predictor for improved health outcomes, such as reduced obesity and likelihood of food-related noncommunicable diseases. Young adults are a key population, being in a transitional stage-of-life: Habits gained here are taken through the lifespan. This review establishes insight into the consumption of vegetables among young adults during their college/university years, and factors associated with increased consumption. Seventy-one papers were extracted, published between January 2009 and October 2018. Search terms related to consumption; vegetables; and college/university setting and sample. A diverse range of definitions, guidelines, and study approaches were observed. Findings identify that the majority of students do not consume World Health Organization recommendations. Being female was the most frequent predictor of higher intake of vegetables, and no consumption patterns were identified by countries. Living at family home; body mass index; happiness and stress level; perceived importance of healthy eating; socioeconomic level; breakfast consumption; stage of study; openness to new experiences; sleep pattern; nutrition knowledge; activity level; alcohol usage; and energy intake were identified as influential factors. Public policies and new strategies to encourage vegetable consumption among college students are indispensable, especially targeting subgroups with even lower intakes, such as males and those living outside family home.

scholarly journals Adaptation of a mobile phone health survey for risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in Colombia: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1809841
Author(s):  
Angelica Torres-Quintero ◽  
Angela Vega ◽  
Dustin G. Gibson ◽  
Mariana Rodriguez-Patarroyo ◽  
Stephanie Puerto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases

scholarly journals Nonmedical Determinants of Congenital Heart Diseases in Children from the Perspective of Mothers: A Qualitative Study in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Maryam Borjali ◽  
Mostafa Amini-Rarani ◽  
Mehdi Nosratabadi
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Heart Defects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Congenital Heart Diseases ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Congenital Diseases ◽  
The World

Introduction. Mortality due to noncommunicable diseases has increased in the world today with the advent of demographic shifts, growing age, and lifestyle patterns in the world, which have been affected by economic and social crises. Congenital heart defects are one of the forms of diseases that have raised infant mortality worldwide. The objective of present study was to identify nonmedical determinants related to this abnormality from the mother’s perspectives. Methods. This research was a qualitative study and the data collection method was a semistructured interview with mothers who had children with congenital heart diseases referring to the Shahid Rajaei Heart Hospital in Tehran, Iran. A thematic analysis approach was employed to analyze transcribed documents assisted by MAXQDA Plus version 12. Results. Four general themes and ten subthemes including social contexts (social harms, social interactions, and social necessities), psychological contexts (mood disorders and mental well-being), cultural contexts (unhealthy lifestyle, family culture, and poor parental health behaviors), and environmental contexts (living area and polluted air) were extracted from interviews with mothers of children with congenital heart diseases. Conclusions. Results suggest that factors such as childhood poverty, lack of parental awareness of congenital diseases, lack of proper nutrition and health facilities, education, and lack of medical supervision during pregnancy were most related with the birth of children with congenital heart disease from mothers’ prospective. In this regard, targeted and intersectorial collaborations are proposed to address nonmedical determinants related to the incidence of congenital heart diseases.

Stewardship of noncommunicable diseases in Iran: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taha Nasiri ◽  
Shahram Yazdani ◽  
Lida Shams ◽  
Amirhossein Takian
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health System ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
World Health ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
National Action Plan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control

PurposeNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) count for over 80% of premature death worldwide. More than 76% of the total burden of diseases in Iran is devoted to NCDs. In line with the World Health Organization action plan, Iran has developed its national action plan that led to establishment of the National Committee for Prevention and Control of NCDs (INCDC), whose aim is 30% mortality reduction attributed to NCDs by 2030. The stewardship of health system is the cornerstone of performing and sustaining meaningful actions toward prevention and control of NCDs. The literature is tiny on how to materialize the stewardship and governance of health system. The purpose of this article is to report the findings of a national study that aimed to identity functions and subfunctions of stewardship of NCDs and its related risk factors in Iran.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative study. The authors conducted interviews with 18 purposefully selected interviewees until the authors reached saturation. Thematic content analysis was used for analysis and MAXQDA 10 was employed for data management. The difficulty of coordinating with interviewers and health policymakers in the field slowed the process of research progress.FindingsThe authors identified seven themes and categorized them as main functions for appropriate stewardship of NCDs in Iran, including intelligence generation; strategic framework; evidence-based policies/decisions; system design; resource allocation/development; capacity-building and enforcement/alignment; and categorized them as important.Practical implicationsThe seven themes presented as stewardship functions include concepts and practical examples of the experiences and performance of leading countries in the field of NCDs control that can help policymakers and health managers for better descion-making.Originality/valueIran adopted its national action plan in 2015 and WHO selected Iran as a fast-track country in 2017. The study confirmed that to achieve the global targets, appropriate and contextual stewardship for any specific setting is fundamental. Iran needs to improve its stewardship for prevention and control of NCDs and implement its national action plan. Therefore, the functions and policies outlined in this article for the proper performance of NCDs can improve more meaningful practices in this area in Iran and many other countries.

scholarly journals Global Vegetable Intake and Supply Compared to Recommendations: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliki Kalmpourtzidou ◽  
Ans Eilander ◽  
Elise F. Talsma
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Food System ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Health Organization

Low vegetable intake is associated with higher incidence of noncommunicable diseases. Data on global vegetable intake excluding legumes and potatoes is currently lacking. A systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted to assess vegetable consumption and supply in adult populations and to compare these data to the existing recommendations (≥240 g/day according to World Health Organization). For vegetable intake data online, websites of government institutions and health authorities, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) and Pubmed/Medline databases were searched from March 2018 to June 2019. Vegetable supply data was extracted from Food Balance Sheets, Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), 2013. Vegetable intake was expressed as means and 95% confidence intervals. Data were summarized for each region by calculating weighted means. Vegetable intake and supply data were available for 162 and 136 countries, respectively. Weighted mean vegetable intake was 186 g/day (56–349 g/day). Weighted mean vegetable supply was 431 g/day (71–882 g/day). For 88% of the countries vegetable intake was below the recommendations. Public health campaigns are required to encourage vegetable consumption worldwide. In the 61% of the countries where vegetable supply is currently insufficient to meet the recommendations, innovative food system approaches to improve yields and decrease post-harvest losses are imperative.

scholarly journals Acceptability and Use of Interactive Voice Response Mobile Phone Surveys for Noncommunicable Disease Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance in Rural Uganda: Qualitative Study

10.2196/15000 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e15000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Ssemugabo ◽  
Elizeus Rutebemberwa ◽  
Dan Kajungu ◽  
George W Pariyo ◽  
Adnan A Hyder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Interactive Voice Response ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Community Members

Background There is need for more timely data to inform interventions that address the growing noncommunicable disease (NCD) epidemic. With a global increase in mobile phone ownership, mobile phone surveys can bridge this gap. Objective This study aimed to explore the acceptability and use of interactive voice response (IVR) surveys for surveillance of NCD behavioral risk factors in rural Uganda. Methods This qualitative study employed user group testing (UGT) with community members. The study was conducted at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IM-HDSS) in Eastern Uganda. We conducted four UGTs which consisted of different categories of HDSS members: females living in urban areas, males living in urban areas, females living in rural areas, and males living in rural areas. Participants were individually sent an IVR survey, then were brought in for a group discussion using a semistructured guide. Data were analyzed thematically using directed content analysis. Results Participants perceived that IVR surveys may be useful in promoting confidentiality, saving costs, and raising awareness on NCD behavioral risk factors. Due to the clarity and delivery of questions in the local language, the IVR survey was perceived as easy to use. Community members suggested scheduling surveys on specific days and sending reminders as ways to improve their use for surveillance. Social issues such as domestic violence and perceptions toward unknown calls, technological factors including poor network connections and inability to use phones, and personal issues such as lack of access to phones and use of multiple networks were identified as barriers to the acceptability and use of mobile phone surveys. However, incentives were reported to motivate people to complete the survey. Conclusions Community members reflected on contextual and sociological implications of using mobile phones for surveillance of NCD behavioral risk factors. The opportunities and challenges that affect acceptability and use of IVR surveys should be considered in designing and implementing surveillance programs for NCD risk factors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document