Use of Narrative Voice and Introduction Content to Improve Interactive Voice Response Surveys in Bangladesh and Uganda

Use of Narrative Voice and Introduction Content to Improve Interactive Voice Response Surveys in Bangladesh and Uganda

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Narrative Voice and Introduction Content to Improve Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Survey Performance in Bangladesh and Uganda

The Bloomberg Family Foundation, Inc., Makerere University, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research

This study evaluates the effect of two different narrative voices (one male and one female) and two different introductions (one with informational content and the other with additional motivational content) on interactive voice response (IVR) survey cooperation, response, refusal, and contact rates, as compared to a control group (male, informational), in Bangladesh and Uganda.

Using random digit dialing (RDD) sampling techniques, participants were randomized to one of four arms: 1) male narrator and informational survey introduction, 2) male narrator and motivational survey introduction, 3) female narrator and informational survey introduction, and 4) female narrator and motivational survey introduction,male motivational, female informational, female motivational) which were then followed by a noncommunicable disease risk factor survey. This mobile phone survey was sent as an interactive voice response (IVR). In IVR surveys, participants use their touch tone key pad to answer pre-recorded questions. (i.e. If you are male, press 1; if you are female, press 2). This study was conducted in both Bangladesh and Uganda.

Participants were randomized to one of four narrator/introduction combinations: 1) male voice, informational content; 2) male voice, motivational content; 3) female voice, informational content; 4) female voice, motivational content.

As defined by American Association for Public Opinion Research, cooperation rate is defined as I/(I+P+R) where I is complete interviews, P is partial interviews, and R is refusals and breakoffs

As defined by American Association for Public Opinion Research, response rate is defined as (I+P)/(I+P+R+eU) where I is complete interviews, P is partial interviews, R is refusals and breakoffs, and eU is the estimated eligible proportion of unknowns.

As defined by American Association for Public Opinion Research, refusal rate is defined as (R)/(I+P+R+eU) where R is refusals and breakoffs, I is complete interviews, P is partial interviews, and eU is the estimated eligible proportion of unknowns

As defined by American Association for Public Opinion Research, contact rate is defined as (I+P+R)/(I+P+R+eU) where I is complete interviews, P is partial interviews, R is refusals and breakoffs, and eU is the estimated eligible proportion of unknowns

Inclusion Criteria: Access to a mobile phone Greater or equal to 18 years of age In Bangladesh, conversant in either English or Bangla language. In Uganda, conversant in either Luo, Luganda, Runyakitara or English languages. Exclusion Criteria: Less than 18 years of age

Gibson DG, Pariyo GW, Wosu AC, Greenleaf AR, Ali J, Ahmed S, Labrique AB, Islam K, Masanja H, Rutebemberwa E, Hyder AA. Evaluation of Mechanisms to Improve Performance of Mobile Phone Surveys in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Research Protocol. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 May 5;6(5):e81. doi: 10.2196/resprot.7534.

Gibson DG, Pereira A, Farrenkopf BA, Labrique AB, Pariyo GW, Hyder AA. Mobile Phone Surveys for Collecting Population-Level Estimates in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Literature Review. J Med Internet Res. 2017 May 5;19(5):e139. doi: 10.2196/jmir.7428.

Gibson DG, Farrenkopf BA, Pereira A, Labrique AB, Pariyo GW. The Development of an Interactive Voice Response Survey for Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Estimation: Technical Assessment and Cognitive Testing. J Med Internet Res. 2017 May 5;19(5):e112. doi: 10.2196/jmir.7340.

Hyder AA, Wosu AC, Gibson DG, Labrique AB, Ali J, Pariyo GW. Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors and Mobile Phones: A Proposed Research Agenda. J Med Internet Res. 2017 May 5;19(5):e133. doi: 10.2196/jmir.7246.