The collective fight against HIV/AIDS normally involves asking sensitive questions as a key to gathering necessary insights on an individual’s health and social relations.  Given the nature of these questions, some people may feel uncomfortable and reluctant to respond accurately because they want to safeguard their privacy.

To overcome this drawback and ensure quality data, Ishaka Adventist Hospital adopted the Audio-Computer Assisted Self- Interview (ACASI) with support from USAID/Local Service Delivery for HIV/AIDS Activity (USAID/LSDA) implemented by Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau and USAID Strategic Information Technical Support (USAID/SITES).

This innovative method of data collection enables participants listen to pre-recorded questions through headphones and respond to questions by selecting their answers on a touch screen or keypad, all happening at the hospital.

The new technology allows users or participants to privately answer sensitive personal questions on a computer with headphones in their local language. The innovation has the capability to assist clients with low literacy levels; whether they know how to use a computer or not.

Administered under the ART Clinic, ACASI has an automated electronic audio and video counselling platform where clients can go and get counselled on HIV/AIDS, substance or drug abuse, and mental health issues.

The adoption of ACASI by Ishaka Adventist Hospital will help improve quality data collection by minimizing data entry errors and reduce time to clean and monitor incoming data. It also has the potential to reduce the social desirability bias that may occur in face-to-face interviews.

This innovation will help Ishaka Adventist Hospital address traditional barriers like stigma and discrimination, which have been deterring individuals from seeking HIV testing and counselling service. It will also help in the identification of at-risk individuals, especially Key Populations.

Staff at Ishaka Adventist Hospital have been trained by USAID SITES in collaboration with USAID/LSDA to operate the system and assist clients in using it.