A Mobile Data Collection App and Project Management Web-tool for Assessing Health Needs Before or After Disasters Matthew C. Simon, GISP, 1North
1 MA ;
Kasey Decosimo,
1 MPH ;
Rachel A. Wilfert, MD, MPH,
1 CPH ;
Jennifer Horney, PhD, MPH,
2 CPH
Carolina Institute for Public Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center
Background The North Carolina Institute for Public Health (NCIPH) assists local public health agencies with data collection projects, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technical assistance, pre-/post- disaster assessments, and community health needs assessments (CHNAs). Since 2009, NCIPH has provided training and technical assistance for 29 data collection efforts in 25 NC counties.
To address some of the technical barriers to CASPER use, NCIPH collaborated with health departments and their community and hospital partners to design, develop and pilot test a free mobile app and project management dashboard, called Collect SMART, Survey Management and Response Tools.
Project Management Tool Supportive data collection features: Web-based GIS-enabled site selection using U.S. Census data Real-time survey frequency analysis Real-time mapping to track and locate survey teams
Learning Objectives Describe how mobile technology may be used to collect survey data before or after disasters Discuss the challenges, resources and training needed to use mobile technology for assessing health needs before and after disasters Identify best practices and lessons learned using primary data to assess and measure community health
Counties in NC where NCIPH has conducted a CASPER or provided technical assistance
CASPER Method To collect primary data before or after disasters, NCIPH uses an epidemiologic door-to-door sampling method called CASPER. Originally developed by the CDC and the WHO, CASPER can be used to quickly obtain a snapshot of health needs and concerns for decision makers. CASPER can also be used for routine data collection, offering many advantages over other methods. CASPER divides populations of interest into randomly-selected geographically distinct clusters (such as census blocks). Within the clusters, a random sample of households is selected to be interviewed. This method has been validated for rapid assessments and the estimation of population-level health needs (producing valid and precise estimates of +/-10%)1. 1
Malilay J, Flanders WD, Brogan D. A modified cluster-sampling method for post-disaster rapid assessment of needs. Bull World Health Organ. 1996; 74(4): 399-405.); Frerichs RR, Shaheen MA. Small-community-based surveys. Annual Rev Public Health 22, 231-47, 2001.
Lessons Learned
Design and Development
Mobile App
Just-in-Time Training NCIPH developed tools and materials to: Introduce CASPER and train field data collection staff/volunteers Review field safety and interview techniques Outline implementation steps using Collect SMART
Compatible with most Android tablets and phones Electronic surveys reduce errors and save time Integrated with CDC’s mobile Epi InfoTM to create questionnaires and analyze results Navigation to preselected survey sites Cloud-based database for survey responses for added data security Offline mode for functionality, if no data connectivity
Pilot Test Results From 2013-2015, NCIPH pilot-tested Collect SMART in 6 community surveys across North The door-to-door CASPER method has many Carolina, collecting over 1,000 surveys with advantages over other primary data collection methods, including: assistance of over 300 community members and Generalizability. Allows “whole community” health agencies who provided feedback to refine participation and improve the Collect SMART tools in an Speed. Collected and processed in several days iterative process. Data quality. Higher response rates, more complete Final pilot testing will occur in April-May 2015. data Feedback from the final pilot will inform the initial Cost. Reduces travel and administrative costs public release of the software early in the summer Community awareness and health education. Increased awareness and outreach materials of 2015. Advantages with CASPER
North Carolina Institute for Public Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Campus Box 8165 | Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8165 | nciph.sph.unc.edu |
[email protected]
Primary data collection using CASPER Being smart with Collect SMART informs and validates disaster recovery Offer incentives (e.g., food and gas) efforts and reinforces accountability to recruit survey volunteers. with communities to address health priorities. Based on experience working Partner with a local academic institution for student volunteers with a variety of communities and 3-hour training should cover safety health agencies to conduct CHAs and and interview techniques, mobile disaster preparedness surveys, NCIPH app, and questionnaire review developed Collect SMART to incorporate Touch-screen technology is the CASPER method onto a free mobile intuitive and requires no platform to facilitate primary data specialized expertise and minimal collection and foster collaboration with training community stakeholders. Allows practitioners to collect primary data from their community using CASPER without requiring extensive technical expertise. Provides efficiencies and supports cost-savings by allowing agencies to collect these data without the need for extensive technical consultation.
Next Steps This summer (June/July), NCIPH will be hosting a webinar and inviting subject matter experts in CASPER to attend who want to learn more about how they can start using the Collect SMART system. During the initial limited public release, the software will be distributed at no cost as we continue to gather feedback and revise the system to make it even more useful and easy to use.
Acknowledgements The North Carolina Institute for Public Health, part of the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, is dedicated to delivering training, conducting research and providing technical assistance to transform the practice of public health for all. Development of the Collect SMART tools was supported through the UNC Preparedness & Emergency Response Learning Center (UNC PERLC) through CDC Cooperative Agreement 1U90TP000415. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.