Collecting Data? No Problem for VectorLink Côte d’Ivoire

How do we assess the impact of vector control interventions, when the quality of existing epidemiological data sources is insufficient?

This week’s Fist Bump goes to VectorLink Côte d’Ivoire for pioneering a data collection effort across all health facilities in four districts using a mobile data collection tool developed in-house. Teaming up with colleagues at the NMCP and national Department of IT and Health Information (DIIS), the team supervised the work of 182 data collection agents at 96 health facilities, to collect 44 months’ worth of data from paper health facility patient registers that contain records for around 200 patients. That’s a lot of data, and it was all done within four weeks!

A 2021 data quality audit prompted the NMCP decision to collect malaria case indicator data directly from health facility registers, rather than from the DHIS2, for use in an impact evaluation of the 2020 and 2021 IRS campaigns. The VectorLink team worked closely with NMCP partners to develop data collection protocols and plans for supervision and quality control of the effort.

The team developed and deployed a novel data collection tool based in Kobo Collect, which allows data collection to be performed offline and synchronized daily to real-time monitoring and supervision dashboards. The dashboards allowed the team to track the progress of data collection agents at each health facility and to detect and promptly address potential issues such as missing registers, incorrectly entered indicators, and agent adherence to protocols.

The team concluded the activity this week with presentations to the district health offices which included summaries of the data collected, register completeness, and recommendations for improving archival practices. Given the critical importance of collecting high-quality data, the team’s adaptability, tenacity, and attention to detail in the face of logistical and technical challenges ensured the success of this activity.

The IRS impact evaluation results will be available at the end of October for an NMCP strategic meeting to inform decision-making on future vector control interventions.

Félicitations à l’équipe VectorLink Côte d’Ivoire for this triumph!