The epidemiology of behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable disease and hypertension: A cross-sectional study from Eastern Uganda.

In light of the suboptimal noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance efforts, the study's main objectives were to: (i) characterize the epidemiological profile of NCD risk factors; (ii) estimate the prevalence of hypertension; and (iii) identify factors associated with hypertension in a peri-urban and rural Ugandan population. A population-based cross-sectional survey of adults was conducted at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System site in eastern Uganda. After describing sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence of NCD risk factors and hypertension was reported.

A nationwide mobile phone survey for tobacco use in Tanzania: Sample quality and representativeness compared to a household survey.

We investigated the feasibility of an interactive voice response (IVR) survey in Tanzania and compared its prevalence estimates for tobacco use to the estimates of the 'Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2018'. IVR participants were enrolled by random digit dialing. Quota sampling was employed to achieve the required sample sizes of age-sex strata: sex (male/female) and age (18-29-, 30-44-, 45-59-, and ≥60-year-olds).

Recruiting hard-to-reach populations via respondent driven sampling for mobile phone surveys in Colombia: a qualitative study.

Background: Uptake of mobile phone surveys (MPS) is increasing in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly within the context of data collection on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) behavioural risk factors. One barrier to collecting representative data through MPS is capturing data from older participants.Respondent driven sampling (RDS) consists of chain-referral strategies where existing study subjects recruit follow-up participants purposively based on predefined eligibility criteria.

Developing digital tools for health surveys in low- and middle-income countries: Comparing findings of two mobile phone surveys with a nationally representative in-person survey in Bangladesh.

Non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factor data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are inadequate, mostly due to the cost and burden of collecting in-person population-level estimates. High-income countries regularly use phone-based surveys, and with increasing mobile phone subscription in developing countries, mobile phone surveys (MPS) could complement in-person surveys in LMICs. We compared the representativeness and prevalence estimates of two MPS (i.

Landscape of team-based care to manage hypertension: results from two surveys in low/middle-income countries.

Objectives: Team-based care is essential for improving hypertension outcomes in low-resource settings. We assessed perceptions of country representatives and healthcare workers (HCWs) on team-based hypertension care in low/middle-income countries.

Design: Two cross-sectional surveys.

Self-paced online learning to improve knowledge competencies for hypertension among medical students in Uganda: A pre-post study.

The growing burden of hypertension (HT) is projected to reach 1.56 billion globally by 2025 and is an increasing public health concern, even for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) like Uganda, where the prevalence of HT is 31.5%.

Examination of the demographic representativeness of a cross-sectional mobile phone survey in collecting health data in Colombia using random digit dialling.

Objectives: As mobile phone ownership becomes more widespread in low-income and middle-income countries, mobile phone surveys (MPSs) present an opportunity to collect data on health more cost-effectively. However, selectivity and coverage biases in MPS are concerns, and there is limited information about the population-level representativeness of these surveys compared with household surveys. This study aims at comparing the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents of an MPS on non-communicable disease risk factors to a household survey in Colombia.

Improving success of non-communicable diseases mobile phone surveys: Results of two randomized trials testing interviewer gender and message valence in Bangladesh and Uganda.

Introduction: Although interactive voice response (IVR) is a promising mobile phone survey (MPS) method for public health data collection in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), participation rates for this method remain lower than traditional methods. This study tested whether using different introductory messages increases the participation rates of IVR surveys in two LMICs, Bangladesh and Uganda.

Methods: We conducted two randomized, controlled micro-trials using fully-automated random digit dialing to test the impact of (1) the gender of the speaker recording the survey (i.

Effect of the Data Collection Method on Mobile Phone Survey Participation in Bangladesh and Tanzania: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background: Mobile phone surveys provide a novel opportunity to collect population-based estimates of public health risk factors; however, nonresponse and low participation challenge the goal of collecting unbiased survey estimates.

Objective: This study compares the performance of computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) and interactive voice response (IVR) survey modalities for noncommunicable disease risk factors in Bangladesh and Tanzania.

Methods: This study used secondary data from a randomized crossover trial.

Remote consent approaches for mobile phone surveys of non-communicable disease risk factors in Colombia and Uganda: A randomized study.

Introduction: Automated mobile phone surveys (MPS) can be used to collect public health data of various types to inform health policy and programs globally. One challenge in administering MPS is identification of an appropriate and effective participant consent process. This study investigated the impact of different survey consent approaches on participant disposition (response characteristics and understanding of the purpose of the survey) within the context of an MPS that measured noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors across Colombia and Uganda.

Promised and Lottery Airtime Incentives to Improve Interactive Voice Response Survey Participation Among Adults in Bangladesh and Uganda: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Increased mobile phone penetration allows the interviewing of respondents using interactive voice response surveys in low- and middle-income countries. However, there has been little investigation of the best type of incentive to obtain data from a representative sample in these countries.

Objective: We assessed the effect of different airtime incentives options on cooperation and response rates of an interactive voice response survey in Bangladesh and Uganda.

Understanding child disability: Factors associated with child disability at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in Uganda.

Introduction: There is scarcity of data on children with disabilities living in low-and-middle-income countries, including Uganda. This study describes disability prevalence and explores factors associated with different disability categories. It highlights the value of using a standardized, easy-to-use tool to determine disability in children and contextualizing disability in children in light of their developmental needs.

Community health workers at the dawn of a new era: 2. Planning, coordination, and partnerships.

Background: Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in grassroots healthcare and are essential for achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. While there is a critical shortage of essential health workers in low- and middle-income countries, WHO and international partners have reached a consensus on the need to expand and strengthen CHW programmes as a key element in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The COVID-19 pandemic has further revealed that emerging health challenges require quick local responses such as those utilizing CHWs.

A cost study for mobile phone health surveys using interactive voice response for assessing risk factors of noncommunicable diseases.

Background: This is the first study to examine the costs of conducting a mobile phone survey (MPS) through interactive voice response (IVR) to collect information on risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in three low- and middle-income countries (LMIC); Bangladesh, Colombia, and Uganda.

Methods: This is a micro-costing study conducted from the perspective of the payer/funder with a 1-year horizon. The study evaluates the fixed costs and variable costs of implementing one nationally representative MPS for NCD risk factors of the adult population.

Caregivers' estimate of early childhood developmental status in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To characterise developmental milestones among young children living in rural communities in Uganda.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in rural eastern Uganda.

Curbing the Rise of Noncommunicable Diseases in Uganda: Perspectives of Policy Actors.

Background: Uganda faces a complex policy landscape as it simultaneously addresses infectious diseases and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The health system has been overwhelmed by the growing burden of NCDs across all socioeconomic strata. In this study, we sought to understand the policy context around NCDs in Uganda, the roles of actors both within and external to the government, and the factors shaping the development and implementation of NCD policies and programs in Uganda.

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

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.

Measuring child functioning: Assessing correlation and agreement between caregiver and child responses at the Iganga-Mayuge health and demographic surveillance site in Uganda.

Introduction: Empirical data is scare on assessment of concordance between caregiver-child responses on child functioning.

Objective: To assess correlation and agreement between children (11-17 years old) and their caregivers' responses to the UNICEF/Washington Group Child Functioning Module (CFM) at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IM-HDSS) in Uganda.

Methods: CFM with 24-questions corresponding to 13 domains of functioning was administered to children between 11 and 17 years of age and their caregivers.

Implementation of global health competencies: A scoping review on target audiences, levels, and pedagogy and assessment strategies.

Background: As the field of global health expands, the recognition of structured training for field-based public health professionals has grown. Substantial effort has gone towards defining competency domains for public health professionals working globally. However, there is limited literature on how to implement competency-based training into learning curricula and evaluation strategies.

Informed Consent for Mobile Phone Health Surveys in Colombia: A Qualitative Study.

Public health surveys deployed through automated mobile phone calls raise a set of ethical challenges, including succinctly communicating information necessary to obtain respondent informed consent. This study aimed to capture the perspectives of key stakeholders, both experts and community members, on consent processes and preferences for participation in automated mobile phone surveys (MPS) of non-communicable disease risk factors in Colombia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with ethics and digital health experts and focus group discussions with community representatives.

Adaptation and validation of UNICEF/Washington group child functioning module at the Iganga-Mayuge health and demographic surveillance site in Uganda.

Background: The UNICEF/Washington Group Child Functioning Module (CFM) assesses child functioning among children between 5 and 17 years of age. This study adapted and validated the CFM at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IM-HDSS) in Uganda.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2018-January 2019 at the IM-HDSS.

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

Background: Data collection on noncommunicable disease (NCD) behavioral risk factors has traditionally been carried out through face-to-face surveys. However, its high costs and logistical difficulties can lead to lack of timely statistics for planning, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Mobile phone surveys (MPS) have the potential to fill these gaps.