Table 2 Themes identified from staff interviews and anonymous feedback forms

Advantages of ODK

• Records were less likely to be lost, particularly investigation results

• Digital photos of x-rays could be stored for comparison over time

• Easier to transfer contact tracing information for patients moving districts

• Faster than paper, especially when using predictive text

Disadvantages of ODK

• Submitted data was not immediately visible on the device

• Registry numbers had to be entered multiple times (once on each form)

Improvements suggested by staff

• Make data more rapidly available for viewing

• Reduce the number of forms

• Allow data entry on PC

• Auto-populate certain fields e.g. follow up date

• Create a system that would automatically send out reminders to patients via SMS/email of upcoming appointments

Reasons given to staff by patients for refusing to join registry

• Already taking part in multiple other research studies

• Didn’t have time to bring their contacts to dispensary during study period

• Concern regarding security of their data being sent electronically – particularly that medical history would be shared on social media

Improvements suggested by patient

• To be able see their own e-record.

Reasons given on anonymous feedback forms

• Not wanting to share medical or personal data, even for research purposes

• Concern that their ‘information would be lost in the internet’

• Not understanding the purpose of the study (non-participant)