Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) for Population-Based Data Collection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries:...

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Health Informatics
• Data Management

Background:

• High-quality data is crucial for health research, especially in population-based studies.
• Population-based research presents unique data collection challenges, particularly in diverse and remote locations.
• Electronic data capture (EDC) offers solutions for overcoming these challenges in large-scale studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation experiences of EDC using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) in mixed-methods studies across Vietnam, Nepal, and Indonesia.
• To identify opportunities, challenges, and solutions encountered when using REDCap for designing, collecting, and managing data in multi-country settings.
• To provide a roadmap for future large-scale population-based research utilizing EDC.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods studies were conducted in Vietnam, Nepal, and Indonesia.
• Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) was utilized for electronic data capture.
• Experiences with REDCap implementation, including data collection, management, and troubleshooting, were documented.

Main Results:

• REDCap enabled data collection from large populations across different settings.
• Challenges included multilingual data collection, unstable internet, complex questionnaires, and varying digital literacy among data collectors.
• Solutions involved regular training, team meetings, supervision, automated error checks, and iterative testing.
• Immediate data access facilitated rapid identification and resolution of incomplete or duplicate records.

Conclusions:

• EDC with REDCap is feasible for large-scale, multi-country population health research.
• Addressing challenges through training, support, and adaptive strategies is key to successful implementation.
• Lessons learned, including iterative testing and intersite collaboration, offer a roadmap for enhancing productivity and data quality in future EDC projects.