Interrogating the quality and completion of mortality mobile phone interviews conducted in Malawi during COVID-19: An examination of interviewer–respondent interactions

Background: Mobile phone surveys (MPSs) have gained traction as a tool for gathering survey data, especially following the emergency of COVID-19. However, our understanding of MPS data quality in contexts with limited mobile phone penetration is still modest.

Objective: This study evaluates (1) the circumstances under which mobile phone survey interviews were conducted and how these might influence the completion and quality of interviews, and (2) whether mortality-related questions upset respondents.

Methods: We present descriptive statistics on respondents’ locations and a few debriefing questions, complemented by an analysis of audio recordings from a selection of interviews.

Results: Findings indicate that interviews conducted while respondents are in public places are more likely to be interrupted or take longer compared to interviews conducted when respondents are at home. Furthermore, mortality questions only rarely trigger emotional distress among respondents. We observed no discernible shifts in respondents’ tone when answering mortality questions relative to other questions.

Conclusions: It is less desirable to conduct MPS interviews when respondents are in public places, especially on topics that require privacy. Additionally, although sensitive, mortality questions should be treated like any other, as they are largely not as upsetting as commonly perceived.

Contribution: As MPSs continue to gain ground in low- and middle-income countries, establishing good practices related to the circumstances wherein respondents take interviews is crucial. Aside from being sensitive and respectful when asking survey questions, enumerators should treat mortality questions like any other. Only in a few instances do these questions typically trigger negative emotional reactions.