What incentives encourage local communities to collect and upload mosquito sound data by using smartphones? A mixed methods study in Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To detect and identify mosquitoes using their characteristic high-pitched sound, we have developed a smartphone application, known as the 'HumBug sensor', that records the acoustic signature of this sound, along with the time and location. This data is then sent remotely to a server where algorithms identify the species according to their distinctive acoustic signature. Whilst this system works well, a key question that remains is what mechanisms will lead to effective uptake and use of this mosquito survey tool? We addressed this question by working with local communities in rural Tanzania and providing three alternative incentives: money only, short message service (SMS) reminders and money, and SMS reminders only. We also had a control group with no incentive.

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SUBMITTER: Dam R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10226264 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature