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Karthikeyan R, Al-Shamaa N, Kelly EJ, Henn P, Shiely F, Divala T, Fadahunsi KP, O'Donoghue J. Investigating the characteristics of health-related data collection tools used in randomised controlled trials in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e077148. [PMID: 38286709 PMCID: PMC10826565 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health-related data collection tools, including digital ones, have become more prevalent across clinical studies in the last number of years. However, using digital data collection tools in low-income and middle-income countries presents unique challenges. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the data collection tools currently being used in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in low-resource settings and evaluate the tools based on the characteristics outlined in the modified Mobile Survey Tool framework. These include functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, portability, effectiveness, cost-benefit, satisfaction, freedom from risk and context coverage. This evidence may provide a guide to selecting a suitable data collection tool for researchers planning to conduct research in low-income and middle-income countries for future studies. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Searches will be conducted in four electronic databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE. For inclusion, studies must be a RCT, mention a health-related data collection tool and conducted in a low- and middle-income country. Only studies with available full-text and written in English will be included. The search was restricted to studies published between January 2005 and June 2023. This systematic review will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) tool. Two review authors will screen the titles and abstracts of search results independently for inclusion. In the initial screening process, the full-text articles will be retrieved if the abstract contains limited information about the study. Disagreements will be resolved through discussion. If the disagreement cannot be resolved, a third author (JO'D) will adjudicate. The study selection process will be outlined in a PRISMA flow-diagram. Data will be analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. The included studies and their outcomes will be presented in a table. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Formal ethical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected in this study. The findings from this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42023405738.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patrick Henn
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Frances Shiely
- Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Titus Divala
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - John O'Donoghue
- ASSERT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Malawi eHealth Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Fisher MB, Danquah L, Seidu Z, Fechter AN, Saga B, Bartram JK, Liang KM, Ramaswamy R. WaSH CQI: Applying continuous quality improvement methods to water service delivery in four districts of rural northern Ghana. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233679. [PMID: 32667923 PMCID: PMC7363065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous, safely managed water is critical to health and development, but rural service delivery faces complex challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We report the first application of continuous quality improvement (CQI) methods to improve the microbial quality of household water for consumption (HWC) and the functionality of water sources in four rural districts of northern Ghana. We further report on the impacts of interventions developed through these methods. A local CQI team was formed and trained in CQI methods. Baseline data were collected and analyzed to identify determinants of service delivery problems and microbial safety. The CQI team randomized communities, developed an improvement package, iteratively piloted it in intervention communities, and used uptake survey data to refine the package. The final improvement package comprised safe water storage containers, refresher training for community WaSH committees and replacement of missing maintenance tools. This package significantly reduced contamination of HWC (p<0.01), and significant reduction in contamination persisted two years after implementation. Repair times in both intervention and control arms decreased relative to baseline (p<0.05), but differences between intervention and control arms were not significant at endline. Further work is needed to build on the gains in household water quality observed in this work, sustain and scale these improvements, and explore applications of CQI to other aspects of water supply and sanitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B. Fisher
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute at UNC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MBF); (RR)
| | - Leslie Danquah
- School of Geosciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Zakaria Seidu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | | | - Jamie K. Bartram
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute at UNC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Kaida M. Liang
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute at UNC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Rohit Ramaswamy
- Public Health Leadership Program, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MBF); (RR)
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MacAllister DJ, MacDonald AM, Kebede S, Godfrey S, Calow R. Comparative performance of rural water supplies during drought. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1099. [PMID: 32132535 PMCID: PMC7055361 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14839-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As rural African communities experience more frequent and extreme droughts, it is increasingly important that water supplies are climate resilient. Using a unique temporal dataset we explore rural water supply (n = 5196) performance during the 2015-16 drought in Ethiopia. Mean functionality ranged from 60% for motorised boreholes to 75% for hand-pumped boreholes. Real-time monitoring and responsive operation and maintenance led to rapid increases in functionality of hand-pumped and, to a lesser extent, motorised boreholes. Increased demand was placed on motorised boreholes in lowland areas as springs, hand-dug-wells and open sources failed. Most users travelled >1 h to access motorised boreholes but <30 min, increasing to 30-60 mins, for hand-pumped boreholes. Boreholes accessing deep (>30 m) groundwater performed best during the drought. Prioritising access to groundwater via multiple improved sources and a portfolio of technologies, such as hand-pumped and motorised boreholes, supported by responsive and proactive operation and maintenance, increases rural water supply resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A M MacDonald
- British Geological Survey, The Lyell Centre, Edinburgh, UK
| | - S Kebede
- School of Agricultural Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - S Godfrey
- UNICEF Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - R Calow
- Overseas Development Institute, London, UK
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Real-time monitoring through the use of technology to enhance performances throughout HIV cascades. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2017. [PMID: 28650346 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Controlling the HIV epidemic requires strong linkages across a 'cascade' of prevention, testing, and treatment services. Information and communications technology (ICT) offers the potential to monitor and improve the performance of this HIV cascade in real time. We assessed recent (<18 months) peer-reviewed publications regarding uses of ICT to improve performance through expanded and targeted reach, improved clinical service delivery, and reduced loss to follow-up. RECENT FINDINGS Research on ICT has tended to focus on a specific 'silo' of the HIV cascade rather than on tracking individuals or program performance across the cascade. Numerous innovations have been described, including use of social media to expand reach and improve programmatic targeting; technology in healthcare settings to strengthen coordination, guide clinical decision-making and improve clinical interactions; and telephone-based follow-up to improve treatment retention and adherence. With exceptions, publications have tended to be descriptive rather than evaluative, and the evidence-base for the effectiveness of ICT-driven interventions remains mixed. SUMMARY There is widespread recognition of the potential for ICT to improve HIV cascade performance, but with significant challenges. Successful implementation of real-time cascade monitoring will depend upon stakeholder engagement, compatibility with existing workflows, appropriate resource allocation, and managing expectations.
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Cronk R, Bartram J. Factors Influencing Water System Functionality in Nigeria and Tanzania: A Regression and Bayesian Network Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:11336-11345. [PMID: 28854334 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Sufficient, safe, and continuously available water services are important for human development and health yet many water systems in low- and middle-income countries are nonfunctional. Monitoring data were analyzed using regression and Bayesian networks (BNs) to explore factors influencing the functionality of 82 503 water systems in Nigeria and Tanzania. Functionality varied by system type. In Tanzania, Nira handpumps were more functional than Afridev and India Mark II handpumps. Higher functionality was associated with fee collection in Nigeria. In Tanzania, functionality was higher if fees were collected monthly rather than in response to system breakdown. Systems in Nigeria were more likely to be functional if they were used for both human and livestock consumption. In Tanzania, systems managed by private operators were more functional than community-managed systems. The BNs found strong dependencies between functionality and system type and administrative unit (e.g., district). The BNs predicted functionality increased from 68% to 89% in Nigeria and from 53% to 68% in Tanzania when best observed conditions were in place. Improvements to water system monitoring and analysis of monitoring data with different modeling techniques may be useful for identifying water service improvement opportunities and informing evidence-based decision-making for better management, policy, programming, and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Cronk
- The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-741, United States
| | - Jamie Bartram
- The Water Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-741, United States
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Karon AJ, Cronin AA, Cronk R, Hendrawan R. Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools in Indonesia: A cross-sectional assessment on sustaining infrastructural and behavioral interventions. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 220:539-550. [PMID: 28238610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools are important for child health, development, and educational performance; yet coverage in Indonesian schools remains low. To address this deficiency, UNICEF and partners conducted a WASH intervention in 450 schools across three provinces in Indonesia. A survey evaluating the sustainability of infrastructure and behavioral interventions in comparison to control districts was conducted one year after completion of the intervention. The survey data were also compared with national government data to assess the suitability of government data to report progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Logistic regression was used to explore associations between WASH conditions and behaviors. Intervention schools were more likely to have handwashing stations with soap and water. In multivariable analyses, schools with a toilet operation and maintenance fund were more likely to have functional toilets. Students who learn hygiene skills from their teachers were less likely to defecate openly, more likely to share hygiene knowledge with their parents, and more likely to wash their hands. Survey data were comparable with government data, suggesting that Indonesian government monitoring may be a reliable source of data to measure progress on the SDGs. This research generates important policy and practice findings for scaling up and sustaining WASH in schools and may help improve WASH in schools programs in other low-resource contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Karon
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, CB#7431, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Aidan A Cronin
- United Nations Children's Fund, Floor 10, World Trade Centre Block 6, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 31, Jakarta 12920, Indonesia.
| | - Ryan Cronk
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, CB#7431, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Reza Hendrawan
- United Nations Children's Fund, Floor 10, World Trade Centre Block 6, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 31, Jakarta 12920, Indonesia
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