This document summarizes lessons learned from implementing an SMS family planning reporting system in Kenya. It describes the TUNZA network project which trained private healthcare providers to provide family planning services and used an SMS system for data collection. Key lessons included ensuring providers understand client data needs and technology capabilities and having strong M&E support to identify essential information for decision making. User-friendly dashboards were important for accessing real-time and historical data to guide project decisions.

1. What all programs need to know
before launching an SMS family
planning reporting system: lessons
learned from PSI/Kenya
SHOPS mHealth eConference
May 5

2. The TUNZA Network
• Project Start: December 2008
• Objective: Train private health care practitioners to
provide quality Family Planning services, especially
IUCD/Implants
• First tier providers selected by license to practice,
certification in FP services and IUCD/Implant insertion,
basic infrastructure, and willingness to adhere to TUNZA
reporting requirements
page 2

3. Provider Training
• Comprehensive 5-day training
on FP counseling, methods,
infection prevention, and
IUCD/Implant insertion
• Three days classroom
• Two days practicum with
certification provided by the
Ministry of Health, Department
of Reproductive Health
page 3

4. Project Data
• TUNZA client intake form includes demographic data
including age, education, parity, physical and history,
current method use, service/method obtained, IUCD
insertion occasion (post-partum, interval, post-
abortion), etc.
• TUNZA follow-up form include includes
physical/history data, complications, discontinuation,
reason for removal, if appropriate
page 4

5. SMS Data Collection System
• Provider phone number, clinic association and geographic
location pre-loaded into system
• Each client’s information (as per first visit and follow-up visit
forms) entered in a single string SMS to a short code dedicated
to PSI-Kenya
• 50 Kshs pushed out to providers after every 4 SMSs (one text
message costs 3.84Kshs)
• Additional airtime pushed out quarterly to providers who meet
performance criteria, e.g., 100% reporting
• All women had access to clinical helpline for 90 days post
insertion
page 5

6. Panel Study
• Informed consent to participate
• Client’s name and phone number recorded
• Maximum of 11 question survey pushed out each month
• 100 Kshs pushed out before survey started
• Questions included: complications, discontinuation, need
for contact by TUNZA clinical staff, and a reminder to see
a provider immediately in the case of any complications.
page 6

7. Data presentation and utilization
• Software as a Service-hosted web-based dashboards
– Real time data access
– Historical data access for comparison to real-time for
comparison
– Charts and graphs displaying data that was identified
as need-to-know daily or weekly for project decision-
making
– Ability to download data into EXCEL or ACCESS for
further analysis
page 7

8. Lessons Learned-Service Provider
• Must interact with the client pre-pitch to pitch a relevant
data presentation/utilization system
• Must have a firm grasp of M&E, or the presentation of
data for decision-making
• Must understand and be able to articulate the client’s data
needs
• Must have a firm grasp of the current technology in the
country
• Must be able to ANTICIPATE functionality shortcomings
as they relate to fulfilling client information needs and
preferred presentation
page 8

9. Lessons Learned-PSI
• Significant understanding of, at minimum, basic systems
for data management and presentation
• A strong M&E support team to facilitate the identification
of need-to-know information for decision-making
• Inclusion of all end-users and relevant primary data
collectors/field staff in the design process
• Significant support provided (either internally, if possible,
or via service provider) to create user friendly and useful
dashboards for decision-making
page 9

10. Questions?
page 10