The document summarizes a mobile data collection assessment conducted in Vietnam to evaluate the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) for collecting health data. It describes training provided in Hanoi and field testing done in Thanh Hoa province. Overall, the health workers found the PDAs usable though some form modifications were needed. The assessment recommended a PDA pilot project and continued collaboration to refine the process.

1. Mobile Data Collection Assessment - Summary
Vietnam CO - August 2007

2. Mobile Data Collection Assessment - Summary
Vietnam CO - August 2007
Objective for Vietnam CO:
Conduct an assessment using mobile data collection
technology using Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s)
Provide training in use of the hardware and software and
evaluate with in-field visit.
- Consultancy provided by Westport IT

3. Mobile Data Collection Assessment - Summary
Vietnam CO Activities
Tuesday - Wednesday
Hanoi Office –
Hardware and software training for M&E and IT personnel
Thursday - Friday
Thanh Hoa Office –
Hardware and software training for Health Workers (HW)
Field testing of PDA forms by HW
Monday
Hanoi Office –
Final training and exit review

4. Hanoi CO Training

5. Mobile Data Collection Assessment - Summary
CO Training Plan
Health Questionnaire paper form review
Advanced topics with form design software – linked databases
Lack of language (accents) on PDA answer keyboard
Scripting challenges – skip questioning
Software installation issue on laptop

6. Hanoi CO Training

7. Hanoi CO Training

8. Hanoi CO Training

9. Hanoi CO Training

10. Hanoi CO Training

11. Hanoi CO Training

12. Hanoi CO Training

13. Hanoi CO Training

14. Hanoi CO Training

15. Hanoi CO Training

16. Hanoi CO Training

17. Hanoi CO Training

18. Hanoi CO Training

19. Hanoi CO Training

20. Hanoi CO Training

21. Mobile Data Collection Assessment - Summary
Thanh Hoa Field Test Plan
1st Health Center – 20 interviews by Ngoc Anh and Ngoc Khan
2nd Health Center – 20 interviews by Health Workers

22. Thanh Hoa - 1st Health Center

23. Thanh Hoa - 1st Health Center

24. Thanh Hoa - 1st Health Center

25. Thanh Hoa - 1st Health Center

26. Thanh Hoa – 2nd Health Center

27. Thanh Hoa – 2nd Health Center

28. Thanh Hoa – 2nd Health Center

29. Thanh Hoa – 2nd Health Center

30. Thanh Hoa – 2nd Health Center

31. Thanh Hoa – 2nd Health Center

32. Field Test Feedback
Pre-planning at Health Centers facilitated field testing
PDA forms accepted, and usable, by health workers (HW)
Peer training began quickly after initial training of HW’s
Respondent bias not noted
Interviewer gender affected respondent seating
Form modifications needed (additional choices, etc.)
Additional scripting needed for form navigation
85% battery charge remaining after 2 days without mobile packs

33. Recommendations
Consider PDA pilot project for validation of technology
Conduct cost analysis
If value indicated, procure licensed copy of software
Continue to collaborate with IT (CO and Westport)
Review overall data management processes - centralize
Evaluate PDA data collection for other programs where indicated
high paper usage
high transcription costs

34. Implementation Costs – Total 5 PDA’s
Qty Item Description Price
4 Personal Digital Assistants (hx2490b) $1,336.00
4 2 gigabyte memory cards $156.00
4 mobile battery packs $392.00
4 extended battery $288.00
Pendragon Forms software & 4 licenses
1 @ $54 ea. * $486.00
Total: $2,658.00
* Pendragon Forms software contains
one PDA license

35. Mobile Data Collection Assessment - Summary
Summary
Further comments….