Extensive in-person training of field-workers in Bangladesh was done at the end of November. The purpose was to train them in the use of quantitative data collection tools for an End-line study as part of the PRESCIP-TEC research.
The training was done by the PRESCRIP-TEC partners, icddr,b and FRIENDSHIP NGO. The research organisation, icddr,b will be in charge of overseeing the data collection as well as the final analysis to determine the impact of the project interventions.
The End-line Study
PRESCRIP-TEC is finding key barriers and facilitators to increasing the uptake of cervical cancer screening in hard-to-reach settings. The project analyses client- and service-related factors using Electronic Medical Records on mobile devices and a Health Management Information Systems application. These tools help us to collect qualitative research data from interviewing clients and service providers. PRESCRIP-TEC is implementing the comparative effectiveness analytic methodology to test the model’s validity.
In Bangladesh, Friendship has been implementing cervical cancer screening and treatment programs through a standard protocol including VIA, Colposcopy and Thermal Ablation. The program is being conducted in the Northern region at two floating hospitals and two clinics in Gaibandha and Kurigram, and at the Friendship Hospital Shaymnagar in the South.
The international health research organisation, icddr,b is in charge of conducting the research in the country. This is why at the end of November they had five days of training sessions on End-line for data collection.
The main objective of the End-line study is to analyse the impact of the project interventions by comparing the data with the set project indicators.
Introducing and practising the End-Line quantitative tool
The data collectors were trained at the end of November because FRIENDSHIP planned to start collecting the data during December. The projection is to complete all the surveys within 90 working days.
All the participants were requested to attend the training with an android device (either tab or mobile) so that they could practise using the KOBO tool and intuitive data collection platform.
The survey consists of a predetermined set of questions that are being used in the field. The quantitative research instruments include surveys, questionnaires, and interviews. Data collectors will be entering the data directly into their tablets while in the field.
Icddr,b will be doing a follow-up in the working areas of the process of gathering, measuring, and analysing the data to ensure accuracy. They will also complete the checking and cleaning of the data to find answers to research problems, answer questions, evaluate outcomes, and forecast trends and probabilities.
Value of the in-person training
FRIENDSHIP NGO, the PRESCRIP-TEC partner in Bangladesh, provided the in-person training of field workers in the use of the survey tools. This training was quite extensive but basic and refresher training are very important for the professional and personal growth of the staff participating in the PRESCRIP-TEC project.
Furthermore, with in-person training knowledge gaps can be identified and resolved right away. Even though the Friendship Community Members (FCMs) work in the field and have knowledge about health and prevention of cervical cancer, many of them do not have any experience in conducting research or using quantitative or qualitative data collection tools.
Feedback from the FCMs during the training also helped to identify challenges and gaps in the field, as it relates to the actual context of the beneficiaries.
Most importantly, these training programs have shown that they help to improve the skills, efficiency, productivity, and growth opportunities for employees participating in the PRESCRIP-TEC project.
