JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Self-administered written surveys can create issues of accessibility for people with language barriers and limited literacy, while face-to-face interviews can create privacy issues and give rise to reporting biases particularly in the context of sensitive subject matters. Audio computer-assisted self-interviews (ACASI) with illustrated pictures offer an alternative mode of survey administration; however few studies have tested their use against other survey modes. This research is part of a larger study to compare different modes of survey administration (ACASI, face-to-face interviews, self-administered paper surveys) in collecting data about hepatitis B knowledge, attitudes and practices among the Myanmar-born community in Perth, Australia. This paper describes the two-phase process of developing the web-based ACASI application with illustrated pictures. The first phase was preparation of the ACASI elements -questionnaire, pictures, and audio files. Each element was pre-tested with 20 participants from the target population. The second phase was to synchronise all the elements into the web-based ACASI application (by The Viewpoint Organisation), and adaptation of the application features, in particular auto-play audio and illustrated pictures. The pre-prototype survey application was tested for user acceptance with five participants from the target population, resulting in minor adjustments to the display and arrangement of response options. After a 12-month development process, the prototype application was fully functional. Pre-testing each element separately was valuable to consider and address multiple factors associated with new features. Future studies should also consider participatory development of pictures and application interface.