In this randomised controlled trial strong evidence was demonstrated that the effectiveness and quality of data collection and services has made a significant difference to the lives of marginalised households.
This relates strongly to the SA National Strategic Plan (2012-2016) objectives of (2) Preventing new HIV, STI and TB infections and (3) Sustaining health and wellness. It provides a new innovative approach to maximise opportunities for testing and screening to ensure that everyone in South Africa is tested for HIV and screened for TB at least annually, and appropriately enrolled in wellness and treatment, care and support programmes. It provides an effective community-based approach to increasing access to a package of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including those for people living with HIV and young people, and conducting prevention activities using an additional, low-cost non-traditional outlet.
Sisonke is a community randomised controlled trial to compare door-to-door home-based HIV counselling and testing (HBVCT) versus facility-based VCT. Lay counsellors in 8 rural community clusters offered VCT to clients in their homes using rapid HIV test kits.
This programme had a primary focus on HIV testing and secondary focus on HIV risk behaviour, stigma, disclosure, HIV knowledge, intimate partner violence and access to care.
Mobenzi Researcher Implementation
During household visits, apart from collecting HIV test information and linking captured data to lab samples, counsellors collected a multitude of other programme and research data using Mobenzi Researcher and entry level handsets.
To collect information for the randomised control trial, a baseline community survey was conducted between September and November 2008 in 16 clusters in the Umzimkhulu sub district which was then divided into HBVCT and the control group. The household survey was repeated between February to May 2011 after which the outcomes of the study and data were revealed.
A custom web-based management console was developed by Mobenzi to support the project protocol. As households were enumerated by counsellors the web interface reflected the captured information in real-time. Follow up visits were scheduled by the system and longitudinal data dynamically incorporated as visits took place.
Impact
With Mobenzi platform facilitating the research, scheduling and accurate reporting, researchers were able to confirm that high quality HIV tests can be safely conducted by trained lay counsellors with the results being correctly interpreted.
This has important implications for community based settings in South Africa and other countries related to the expansion of HCT services and mobile technology.
“The mobenzi system has enabled us for the first time to see what is happening with data collection in real time. We can log into the management console and see what is happening in the field each day. It has transformed our ability to manage research teams and field staff” - Tanya Doherty, MRC.
About The MRC
The South African Medical Research Council is a statutory council mandated by government to improve the nation's health and quality of life through promoting and conducting relevant and responsive health research.
As one of the largest research organisations in the country, the MRC is able to embark on large-scale long-term projects which break new ground in a range of areas including HIV/AIDS.
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