Use of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing and Information Management System in a Survey among HIV High-Risk Groups in India: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis

OBJECTIVES: In India, integrated biological and behavioral surveillance was carried out in 2014–2015 among high-risk key population as a part of second-generation HIV surveillance system. Computer-assisted personal interviewing and integrated information management system were used for the first time in this large national field based survey. We evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of technology use in this survey. METHODS: Mixed methods comprising of the key informant's interviews and structured data collected from field interviewers were used to do the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis with defined attributes. RESULTS: Despite the challenges, the technology use in this survey was a huge success with respect to data coverage, response rates, real-time data, and acceptance by respondents. However, such techniques require more focus on the competency of human resource, training, and concurrent evaluation systems to get better data quality, time adherence, and effective use of technology. CONCLUSION: The recommendations resulted from this analysis will help for strategic management while designing such systems in field-based community surveys.