Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38508584›Full record

ArticleBMJ global health2024

Building citizen science intelligence for outbreak preparedness and response: a mixed-method study in nine countries to assess knowledge, readiness and feasibility.

Yi-Roe Tan, Manh Duc Nguyen, Caroline Antonia Mubaira, Dan Kajungu, Dinesh Kumar, Felipe C Canlas, Firli Yogiteten Sunaryoko, Gyanu Raja Maharjan, Harjyot Khosa, Ingo Hauter and 7 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ global health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Yi-Roe TanHealthAI, Geneva, Switzerland yi-roe.tan@i-dair.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4013-7330
Manh Duc NguyenOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-8397-4359
Caroline Antonia MubairaZimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+), Harare, Zimbabwe.
Dan KajunguMakerere University Centre for Health and Population Research, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3363-7062
Dinesh KumarDr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Felipe C CanlasWireless Access for Health, Tarlac, The Philippines.
Firli Yogiteten SunaryokoClimate Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Gyanu Raja MaharjanRD Foundation Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Harjyot KhosaSouth Asia Regional Office, International Planned Parenthood Federation, New Delhi, India.
Ingo HauterClimate Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Joan ThigaAmref Health Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
Md Mazharul AnowarRural Development Academy (RDA), Bogura, Bangladesh.
Patrick OkwenResearch and Development, Effective Basic Services (eBASE), Bamenda, Cameroon.
Tariro KutadzaZimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+), Harare, Zimbabwe.
Walter ChikanyaZimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research Project, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Marc ChoisyOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
Peiling YapHealthAI, Geneva, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCitizen science (CS) is an emerging approach in public health to harness the collective intelligence of individuals to augment traditional scientific efforts. However, citizens' viewpoint, especially the hard-to-reach population, is lacking in current outbreak-related literature. We aim to understand the awareness, readiness and feasibility of outbreak-related CS, including digitally enabled CS, in low-income and middle-income countries.

methodsThis mixed-method study was conducted in nine countries between October 2022 and June 2023. Recruitment through civil society targeted the general population, marginalised/indigenous groups, youth and community health workers. Participants (aged ≥18 years) completed a quantitative survey, and a subset participated in focus group discussions (FGDs).

results2912 participants completed the survey and 4 FGDs were conducted in each country. Incorporating participants' perspectives, CS is defined as the practice of active public participation, collaboration and communication in all aspects of scientific research to increase public knowledge, create awareness, build trust and facilitate information flow between citizens, governments and scientists. In Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cameroon and Kenya, majority were unaware of outbreak-related CS. In India and Uganda, majority were aware but unengaged, while in Nepal and Zimbabwe, majority participated in CS before. Engagement approaches should consider different social and cultural contexts, while addressing incentivisation, attitudes and practicality factors. Overall, 76.0% expressed interest in digital CS but needed training to build skills and confidence. Digital CS was perceived as convenient, safer for outbreak-related activities and producing better quality and quantity of data. However, there were concerns over non-inclusion of certain groups, data security and unclear communication.

conclusionCS interventions need to be relatable and address context-specific factors influencing CS participation. Digital CS has the potential to facilitate collaboration, but capacity and access issues must be considered to ensure inclusive and sustainable engagement.

Indexed as

Citizen ScienceAdolescentAdultCommunity ParticipationDisease OutbreaksFeasibility StudiesFocus GroupsHumanscross-sectional surveyhealth policyother infection, disease, disorder, or injurypublic healthqualitative study

Identifiers

PMID38508584
PMCPMC10952866

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.