Journal article
To call or not to call: comparing results from face-to-face surveys and mobile phone interviews
published 24 March 2022
published 24 March 2022
This IDEAS-led study, published in BMJ Global Health, analysed the validity of data generated through telephone interviews, when compared to data generated through exit surveys 14 months before when women were interviewed leaving a health facility after giving birth to a live baby.
The study investigated eight indicators of positive maternity care experience and 18 indicators of negative maternity care experience. The study found that the telephone interviews yield similar sample characteristics as exit interviews, thus presenting an interesting alternative to the more resource and time-intensive traditional face-to-face surveys. When comparing the results however varied estimates were observed. Study authors conclude that alternative hypotheses should be considered including that women’s reported experience may legitimately change over time and women’s confidence to report their experiences may differ by place of interview.