The last few weeks I've been finalizing the survey and preparing to pilot test the survey in 3-6 districts. We will pilot the survey before deploying to our full sample so we can get feedback on the questions as well as the level of effort required to fill in the survey. We will use the feedback to adjust the survey before deploying to the larger group.
To help finalize the survey questions, we met with another study team member, Professor Fredrick E. Makumbi, who is in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department at Makerere University School of Public Health. Prof FM provided feedback on our survey and proposed data collection approach.
After incorporating Prof FM's feedback, I digitized the survey using KoboToolbox, a free survey platform that can be used to collect data both online and offline. I had to learn how to "code" surveys in excel using XLSForms in order to get the survey online. Once digitized, Adrian, Cathy, and I went through the survey to make sure everything worked including skip patterns, etc. Then, I wrote out a document with a detailed description of how to fill in the survey, save drafts, and submit. We will send these directions to the district planners in the 3-6 districts where the survey will be piloted.
So, tomorrow morning we will send out the survey pilot to the district planners and ask them to complete the survey (which includes a survey of district health officials and a health facility in the district). We will set up a Whatsapp group where they can ask questions while trying to fill in the survey. We will also schedule a feedback session at the end of the week to gather their feedback on the survey. Then hopefully next week we can make necessary edits and deploy the survey to our full sample of about 57 districts.
Aside from work, this past weekend I attended a traditional wedding in Kazo district. Cathy's cousin was "going to get his bride", which is when the groom goes to the bride's house and the bride's family hands her over to the groom's family. It is required for guests of the groom to be dressed in traditional clothing, so I had to get a mushanana tailored (see below). It was a fun weekend!
Me in my mushanana before and during the wedding ceremony (with Cathy and another cousin)