Author
Listed:
- Emmanuel Souza
(University of Malawi)
- Jethro Banda
(Malawi Epidemiological and Intervention Research Unit)
- Monica Jamali
(University of Malawi)
- Funny Muthema
(Institute of Public Opinion and Research, Zomba)
- Jacob Saikolo
(Institute of Public Opinion and Research, Zomba)
- Michael Chasukwa
(University of Malawi)
- Malebogo Tlhajoane
(London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
- Boniface Dulani
(University of Malawi)
- Julio Romero-Prieto
(London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
- Georges Reniers
(London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
- Stephane Helleringer
(New York University, Abu Dhabi)
Abstract
Background: Mobile phone surveys (MPSs) have gained traction as a tool for gathering survey data, especially following the emergency of COVID-19. However, our understanding of MPS data quality in contexts with limited mobile phone penetration is still modest. Objective: This study evaluates (1) the circumstances under which mobile phone survey interviews were conducted and how these might influence the completion and quality of interviews, and (2) whether mortality-related questions upset respondents. Methods: We present descriptive statistics on respondents’ locations and a few debriefing questions, complemented by an analysis of audio recordings from a selection of interviews. Results: Findings indicate that interviews conducted while respondents are in public places are more likely to be interrupted or take longer compared to interviews conducted when respondents are at home. Furthermore, mortality questions only rarely trigger emotional distress among respondents. We observed no discernible shifts in respondents’ tone when answering mortality questions relative to other questions. Conclusions: It is less desirable to conduct MPS interviews when respondents are in public places, especially on topics that require privacy. Additionally, although sensitive, mortality questions should be treated like any other, as they are largely not as upsetting as commonly perceived. Contribution: As MPSs continue to gain ground in low- and middle-income countries, establishing good practices related to the circumstances wherein respondents take interviews is crucial. Aside from being sensitive and respectful when asking survey questions, enumerators should treat mortality questions like any other. Only in a few instances do these questions typically trigger negative emotional reactions.
Suggested Citation
Emmanuel Souza & Jethro Banda & Monica Jamali & Funny Muthema & Jacob Saikolo & Michael Chasukwa & Malebogo Tlhajoane & Boniface Dulani & Julio Romero-Prieto & Georges Reniers & Stephane Helleringer, 2024.
"Interrogating the quality and completion of mortality mobile phone interviews conducted in Malawi during COVID-19: An examination of interviewer–respondent interactions,"
Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 51(46), pages 1471-1490.
Handle:
RePEc:dem:demres:v:51:y:2024:i:46
DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2024.51.46
Download full text from publisher
Corrections
All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:51:y:2024:i:46. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.
If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.
We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .
If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.
For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Editorial Office (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/ .
Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through
the various RePEc services.