Handheld computers for survey and trial data collection in resource-poor settings : development and evaluation of PDACT, a Palm TM pilot interviewing system

Abstract

Handheld data collection is an appropriate, affordable and convenient technology for health data collection in diverse settings. Software can be developed that permits end-users with no particular computer programming skill or knowledge to develop PDA-based survey applications and structured medical record form applications. The article reviews a Personal Data Collection Toolkit (PDACT) software, developed to enable questionnaires to be compiled, completed, and evaluated, in several representative field survey settings. Compared with paper-based collection, data validation and cleaning times were reduced, and fewer errors were found. Data are compiled and available within hours of collection facilitating data quality assurance.