Phone surveys crucial for disaster respon
Amidst economic and logistical challenges, mobile phone call surveys (MPS) are emerging as a cost-effective method of generating crucial data to inform policy decisions.
This came to light during a dissemination workshop for the Rapid Mortality Mobile Phone Surveys (RaMMPS) findings that the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR) conducted in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New York University Abu Dhabi and the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit in Mponela yesterday.
IPOR’s director of training and programmes Michael Chisukwa stressed the limitations of traditional methods such as population censuses, household surveys and sample registration systems in providing timely mortality data.
“These methods are often interrupted during epidemics or humanitarian crises, precisely when accurate mortality monitoring is crucial for effective policy response,” he said.
The study focused on estimating mortality rates through telephone interviews.
National Planning Commission head of research Andrew Jamali said there was need for alternative methods that can deliver the same quality and reliability of data.
“Phone call surveys provide real-time mortality data, which is vital for navigating the impacts of disasters on both livelihoods and the economy,” he said.
The findings indicate that MPS are easier and cheaper to implement than face-to-face surveys. However, experience with collecting mortality data over the phone is limited.
The RaMMPS project was launched in December 2020 by nine implementing partners, with support from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Université Catholique de Louvain and New York University—Abu Dhabi.
National surveys were conducted in five countries namely, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Mozambique.
The project’s aim was to develop and apply tools for estimating mortality via MPS.
