With financial support from the Global Fund, one UNOPS Sub-recipient, Vietnam Public Health Association (VPHA), has used an innovative approach to adapt project activities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Viet Nam experienced a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, the government and local authorities have continuously implemented high-level social distancing measures. This greatly affects the implementation of the project’s field activities, including VPHA’s baseline survey in four provinces: Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc.
VPHA immediately had discussions with the Department of Health’s Centers for Disease Control on the implementation of project activities during the pandemic and developed a plan to conduct the baseline survey in an innovative way.
Data collection using Kobo Toolbox software
VPHA used online data collection on mobile phones through Kobo Toolbox software, a completely free software on the Android Store, developed by Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The software has a Vietnamese interface and is easy to use. The highlight of this software is its ability to take photos, record location and enter data even when in areas without an internet connection.
Before conducting data collection, VPHA organized online training sessions for surveyors from the four provinces. The data collectors to conduct the baseline survey were selected from the commune health centers of 12 communes (3 communes per province).
The objective of the baseline survey is to evaluate the capacity of the private health sector to deliver malaria services, to examine the feasibility of the private health system in malaria control and elimination, and to evaluate the difficulties and challenges in public–private cooperation in malaria control and elimination in the period 2021–2023.
The questionnaire included four main parts: general information, use of health services, knowledge about malaria control, and practices for malaria prevention.
Data collectors were thoroughly trained on how to interview, the content of each question in the data collection toolkit, and how to fill out the survey on mobile devices. The data collectors also practised interviewing and filling out the survey on mobile devices with the support of the supervisors.
Data collection was carried out according to the project's plan. During the process, the data collectors visited people's homes in the commune (according to the number of households specified) and interviewed forest-goers who sleep in the fields in that household. Each interview lasted 20–30 minutes. Investigators complied with infection prevention measures during the interview, such as wearing masks and keeping a safe distance.
Each supervisor, who is a field collaborator at the provincial level, accompanied the data collector to interview some households, observe and provide support during the interview. After the data collector finished interviewing the prescribed number of respondents, the supervisor re-interviewed 5 per cent to check the accuracy of the data. The data collected on the mobile phone were immediately uploaded to the system, and the project team was easily able to see the number and details of each interview form.
The right-hand sampling method was used in this survey. To start, the data collector selected the first household near the upland forest for interview. After interviewing the first household, the data collector continued to his right-hand side and went to the next household for the interview. At the end of the data collection form, the data collector was asked to relocate the interviewed households.
Monitoring through coordination between tracking and checking online ballots has helped the project staff, located in Hanoi. In addition, data collectors improved their self-discipline because they were constantly monitored and adjusted the interview techniques as necessary right after the end of a household survey.
The data collectors obtained 736 community responses according to the project's plan. The survey was completed in 2021 and the data analysis is now in process. The survey results will help VPHA to implement malaria activities effectively.
