Consent for mobile phone surveys of non-communicable disease risk factors in low-resource settings: an exploratory qualitative study in Uganda
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mhealth
Abstract
Lack of data for timely decision-making around the prevention and control of noncommunicable
diseases (NCDs) presents special challenges for policy makers, especially in resource-limited
settings. New data collection methods, including pre-recorded Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone
surveys, are being developed to support rapid compilation of population-level disease risk factor information
in such settings. We aimed to identify information that could be used to optimize consent approaches for
future mobile phone surveys (MPS) employed in Uganda and, possibly, similar contexts.
Methods: We conducted an in-depth qualitative study with key stakeholders in Uganda about consent
approaches, and potential challenges, for pre-recorded IVR NCD risk factor surveys. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted with 14 key informants. A contextualized thematic approach was used to interpret
the results supported by representative quotes.
Results: Several potential challenges in designing consent approaches for MPS were identified, including
low literacy and the lack of appropriate ways of assessing comprehension and documenting consent.
Communication with potential respondents prior to the MPS and providing options for callbacks were
suggested as possible strategies for improving comprehension within the consent process. “Opt-in” forms
of authorization were preferred over “opt-out”. There was particular concern about data security and
confidentiality and how matters relating to this would be communicated to MPS respondents.
Conclusions: These local insights provide important information to support optimization of consent for
MPS, whose use is increasing globally to advance public health surveillance and research in constructive
ways
Description
Keywords
Mobile phone surveys (MPS), Consent, mHealth, Public health surveillance, Uganda
Citation
Mwaka, E., Nakigudde, J., Ali, J., Ochieng, J., Hallez, K., Tweheyo, R., ... & Pariyo, G. (2019). Consent for mobile phone surveys of non-communicable disease risk factors in low-resource settings: an exploratory qualitative study in Uganda. Mhealth, 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2019.07.05 http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2019.07.05