EN-SMILING PILOT STUDY: FGD AND SSI

EN-SMILING is a 5-year multiple countries (Tanzania, Nepal and Bangladesh) evidence–based longitudinal cohort study that builds on Every Newborn Birth Indicator Research Tracking in Hospitals (EN-BIRTH) study. This study aims to fill the gaps and support the Early Child Development (ECD) screening, prevention, early identification of any developmental delays if found among exposed and non-exposed babies from En-Birth.

The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Semi Structured Interview (SSI) were conducted in line with the pilot guidance notes of En-Smiling. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted among mothers or primary caregivers who were part of the study. Similarly, Semi-Structured Interview (SSI) was conducted among the assessors.

Objective: The study aimed to assess opinions regarding the suitability of performing the tools and the timing of the process from the lens of participants (mothers/caregivers) and assessors.

The FGD and SSI were conducted to gain insights of the tool and customization of the app to improve data quality and its applicability. The questions were divided to the themes such as tool translation and adaptation, duration or order of the interview, patients experience and opportunities and recommendation. The report from this qualitative study is expected to provide real time in-depth feedbacks on the tools, data collection process before study goes on a field implementation. This would help the study team to gauge the applicability of the tool and the app designed for this En-Smiling project.