Comparison of SMS and IVR Surveys in Tanzania

Comparison of Short Message Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Mobile Phone Surveys for Non-communicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance in Tanzania

This study focuses on mechanisms to adapt the performance of interactive voice response (IVR) and short message service (SMS) surveys conducted in low-and middle-income (LMIC) setting (Tanzania) and evaluates how the two survey modalities (IVR and SMS) affect survey metrics, including response, completion and attrition rates.

Using random digit dialing (RDD) sampling technique, participants will be randomized to one of two arms : 1) IVR or 2) SMS. Participants in the first study arm will receive an IVR survey. Participants in the second study arm will receive a SMS survey. The IVR and SMS questionnaires contain a set of demographic questions and one non-communicable disease (NCD) module (alcohol, or tobacco, or diet, or physical activity, or blood pressure and diabetes). We will examine contact, response, refusal and cooperation rates and demographic representativeness by each study arm.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Access to a mobile phone
• Greater or equal to 18 years of age
• Conversant in the Swahili language

Exclusion Criteria:

• Less than 18 years of age