SOP1: Overview of the ESPEN Collect platform

The purpose of this document is to provide detailed information on ESPEN Collect, an essential platform for data collection as part of the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases with Preventive Chemotherapy (NTD-CP). This document will serve as a comprehensive guide for anyone involved, even minimally, in surveys using ESPEN Collect.

ESPEN Collect is a free mobile platform designed for national programmes (Ministry of Health), neglected tropical disease NGOs, and other partners in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. It is simple to use and train and works even in areas with little or no Internet connection. 

Since its launch in August 2018, the ESPEN Collect platform has been adopted by more than 30 African countries, supporting more than 200 surveys through to 2024 [1]. This extensive use has provided valuable data and developed best practice for every aspect of a survey. The experience gained over the years has helped to refine processes and ensure efficient and reliable data collection. 

The ESPEN Collect platform plays a crucial role in the elimination of NTD-CP. By facilitating the collection of accurate, real-time data, it enables decision-makers to take informed action to combat neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and soil transmitted helminthiasis. The data collected through this platform contributes to improving the quality of life of millions of people. 

This document covers all the essential aspects of using the ESPEN Collect platform. By following the guidelines and best practices described, users will be able to conduct surveys efficiently and obtain high-quality data. This data is crucial for planning targeted interventions and evaluating the impact of healthcare programmes. 

In summary, this document describes and presents best practices for each stage of a survey, including questionnaire design, use of smartphones, interviewer training, survey organization, data monitoring, data cleaning and submission of results to WHO.