Abstract
BackgroundHealth in low and middle income countries is on one hand characterized by a high burden associated with preventable communicable diseases and on the other hand considered to be under-documented due to improper basic health and demographic record-keeping. health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) have provided researchers, policy makers and governments with data about local population dynamics and health related information. In order for an HDSS to deliver high quality data, effective organization of data collection and management are vital. HDSSs impose a challenging logistical process typically characterized by door to door visits, poor navigational guidance, conducting interviews recorded on paper, error prone data entry, an extensive staff and marginal data quality management possibilities.MethodsA large trial investigating the effect of odour-baited mosquito traps on malaria vector populations and malaria transmission on Rusinga Island, western Kenya, has deployed an HDSS. By means of computer tablets in combination with Open Data Kit and OpenHDS data collection and management software experiences with time efficiency, cost effectiveness and high data quality are illustrate. Step by step, a complete organization of the data management infrastructure is described, ranging from routine work in the field to the organization of the centralized data server.Results and discussionAdopting innovative technological advancements has enabled the collection of demographic and malaria data quickly and effectively, with minimal margin for errors. Real-time data quality controls integrated within the system can lead to financial savings and a time efficient work flow.ConclusionThis novel method of HDSS implementation demonstrates the feasibility of integrating electronic tools in large-scale health interventions.
Highlights
Health in low and middle income countries is on one hand characterized by a high burden associated with preventable communicable diseases and on the other hand considered to be under-documented due to improper basic health and demographic record-keeping. health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) have provided researchers, policy makers and governments with data about local population dynamics and health related information
This novel method of HDSS implementation demonstrates the feasibility of integrating electronic tools in large-scale health interventions
HDSS sites often rely on paper-based conducting of questionnaires before the data is entered into a digital database [7, 9, 10, 22, 23]
Summary
Health in low and middle income countries is on one hand characterized by a high burden associated with preventable communicable diseases and on the other hand considered to be under-documented due to improper basic health and demographic record-keeping. health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) have provided researchers, policy makers and governments with data about local population dynamics and health related information. Homan et al BMC Res Notes (2015) 8:397 the INDEPTH network (International Network of field sites with continuous Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in developing countries), health indicators became a routine part of science-driven surveillance systems, retitling the concept as HDSS (health and demographic surveillance system) [3]. Despite these developments, public health systems in developing countries often lack adequate infrastructure to monitor demographic and health information; rural areas in particular experience challenges with the collection of reliable health-related data. More recent, malaria control study which used HDSS to capture prospective data was the Asembo Bay Cohort Project, which showed a large protective effect of long lasting insecticidial nets (LLIN) against malaria infection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
