Optimizing Entomological Surveillance in Sierra Leone: Joining the Mobile Data Capture Train

This week’s Fist Bump goes to the PMI VectorLink Sierra Leone team for launching mobile data collection for entomological surveillance. The VectorLink Sierra Leone entomology and M&E teams successfully transitioned standard paper data collection to mobile phones in Western Area Rural District following a two-day training held near the capital, Freetown.

Over the last several weeks, the VectorLink Sierra Leone entomology and HO entomology/M&E team have worked together to review and prepare for the shift from paper-based to mobile data collection for longitudinal monitoring including pyrethrum spray catches, CDC light traps, and human landing catches; residual efficacy; and insecticide resistance testing.

In a stepwise fashion, the VL Sierra Leone team has planned to roll out mobile data entry one district at a time. Starting with Western Area Rural, the team held its first mobile data entry training from October 17-18, 2022. This training included two entomology field supervisors from the district health management team (DHMT), one National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) entomologist, and seven VectorLink entomology and insectary technicians involved in different phases of data collection. The entomology database manager, technical manager, chief of party and M&E lead from Home Office were also in attendance. After a successful field trial in one of the sentinel sites, Sand Sand Water Village, the VectorLink Sierra Leone team in collaboration with the NMCP and DHMT successfully launched mobile data collection on October 27, 2022, in Western Area Rural for longitudinal monitoring and residual efficacy data collection. Further expansion to insecticide resistance data will take place in the coming months. At the launch, the NMCP Integrated Vector Management (IVM) Lead, Mr. Frederick Yamba, speaking on behalf of the NMCP program manager, highlighted the significance of improving the capacity of Sierra Leone’s surveillance system to enhance data accuracy for decision-making.

We are thrilled that the VL Sierra Leone team has successfully initiated mobile data capture, joining six other PMI VectorLink countries in transforming entomological surveillance. VL Sierra Leone will continue to closely monitor this mobile data collection pilot, learning and improving as they roll out to other districts in the coming months.

Congratulations to the whole team for getting this important and exciting activity kicked off!