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Supervivencia en Crisis

Más del 10% de las personas en Guatemala y Honduras está planeando migrar, siendo la desesperación económica y la inseguridad sus principales razones para abandonar su país.

Éxodo Migratorio

Más del 10% de las personas en Guatemala y Honduras se están preparando para migrar, citando la desesperación económica y la inseguridad como las principales causas.

Cambio en la Seguridad

Las estrictas medidas contra el crimen en El Salvador han aumentado la sensación de seguridad en el 94% de los ciudadanos. Por otro lado, en Guatemala y Honduras, la percepción de seguridad sigue siendo profundamente inestable.

Colapso de la Confianza

La corrupción y las ineficientes medidas gubernamentales generan desconfianza en la población, quienes han comenzado a depender de remesas y trabajos informales para sobrevivir

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GEOPOLL REPORT: VOICES FROM CENTRAL AMERICA

Breaking Insights: The Harsh Realities and Future of Central America in 2025

A Region on the Brink: Survival, Migration, and Hope

Free Download Spanish

Survival In Crisis

More than 80% of Central Americans struggle to afford basic needs, with one-quarter experiencing food shortages every month.

Migration Exodus

More than 10% of people in Guatemala and Honduras are preparing to migrate, citing economic despair and insecurity as top drivers.

Security Shake up

El Salvador’s aggressive crackdown on crime has left 94% of citizens feeling safe, while Guatemala and Honduras remain deeply unstable.

Collapse of Trust

Corruption and government failures fuel skepticism, leaving communities reliant on remittances and informal networks for survival.

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The Power of Mobile-Based Data Collection in Migration Research

Traditional migration studies – in-person surveys or censuses – often fail to capture timely insights, especially for mobile or hard-to-reach populations. Mobile-based data collection is changing the game by enabling real-time, large-scale insights into migration trends​. As in the example above where GeoPoll ran the multicountry Central America survey via phone calls (CATI), mobile surveys (via SMS, voice calls, or mobile web), enable researchers to quickly reach respondents across wide geographies, including migrants on the move or remote communities. This approach offers several advantages over traditional methods:

• Broad Reach: High mobile phone penetration in developing regions means even remote communities or dispersed groups can be reached – populations that might otherwise be missed by face-to-face research.
• Speed & Scale: Mobile surveys can be deployed and completed within days, providing real-time insights during a migration crisis. They also easily scale to tens of thousands of respondents across multiple regions – a level of responsiveness traditional methods cannot match.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Without needing to send field teams, mobile data collection significantly lowers the cost per respondent​, freeing up resources that would otherwise go to travel and logistics.

Mobile-based migration research is not just theoretical – it’s already being used in the field. For example, the UN World Food Programme’s mVAM project successfully used phone surveys at scale to monitor refugee populations, a further proof to this method’s effectiveness in humanitarian settings​.

Why Migration Research Matters for Policymakers and Development Organizations

Understanding migration patterns and drivers has real implications for policy and aid. Effective policies hinge on accurate, up-to-date data about migration flows. Knowing where, why, and how people move is essential for designing interventions that balance the needs of migrants with those of origin and destination communities​. Data-driven insights help stakeholders in several ways​:

• Monitor Trends: Detect spikes in migration, seasonal movements, or new routes so governments can anticipate and respond to changes​.
• Assess Drivers: Identify root causes (e.g. unemployment, conflict, climate shocks) behind migration​, enabling targeted actions to address those factors.
• Measure Impact: Evaluate how policies or events influence migration patterns and migrant well-being.

High-quality migration data is critical for designing and evaluating policies that yield economic, social, and humanitarian benefits​. With solid evidence in hand, decision-makers can create targeted solutions – from job programs to address economic drivers, to security initiatives that curb violence, to improved aid plans for refugees​. In short, data-driven migration research enables governments and organizations to move beyond guesswork and respond with informed strategies.

GeoPoll’s Role in Advancing Migration Insights

As migration challenges change, so must our methods of understanding them, and embracing mobile-based research allows us to capture trends as they unfold and craft more responsive policies. Governments and organizations have much to gain by adopting data-driven approaches – from designing better job opportunities at home to providing timely support for refugees abroad.

In an interconnected world, leveraging real-time data is an advantage and a necessity for managing and providing a more proactive response to migration. Data-driven research should be a cornerstone of how we tackle migration issues, ensuring that policies are guided by migrants’ actual needs and motivations.​

GeoPoll has been at the forefront of mobile-based migration research, pioneering innovative methods to collect data from populations that traditional surveys often miss​. With experience administering remote surveys in over 120 countries​, GeoPoll partners with governments, development agencies, and NGOs to gather reliable data on several social issues, including migration trends​. We can deploy questionnaires via SMS, voice (CATI), and mobile web, and rapidly collect feedback from dispersed communities, with near real-time insights. Looking ahead, mobile surveys can be expanded for even deeper insights – from longitudinal studies tracking migrants’ outcomes over time, to quick polls gauging public perceptions of new immigration policies across countries.

To learn more about our capabilities and coverage, please contact us.

The post The Power of Mobile-Based Research in Tracking Migration appeared first on GeoPoll.

Take the example of a MEAL tracker GeoPoll did with a partner in the development sector in South Sudan. The year-long project aimed to monitor food security interventions in real time using mobile-based surveys. GeoPoll used SMS surveys to collect feedback from thousands of beneficiaries every week for a year, allowing for immediate program adjustments and enhanced impact reporting to donors. This near real-time MEAL approach led to improved, continous decision-making and resource allocation.

MEAL Strategies for NGOs

Successful MEAL strategies rely on a combination of timely data collection, community engagement, and iterative learning. Organizations must focus on:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Frequent data collection ensures projects stay on track and allows for immediate adjustments.
• Impact Evaluation: Systematic assessment of long-term project outcomes helps in understanding what works and what doesn’t.
• Accountability Mechanisms: Engaging beneficiaries through mobile feedback loops improves project transparency and community trust.
• Data-Driven Learning: MEAL is not just about tracking; it’s about using insights to refine strategies and improve impact.

The Role of Mobile Data Monitoring

Mobile technology is revolutionizing MEAL by offering real-time, scalable data collection solutions. GeoPoll’s mobile-based surveys enable NGOs, donors, and policymakers to:

• Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Real Time: SMS, IVR, and mobile web surveys allow for frequent, remote data collection, reducing reliance on field visits.
• Enhance Reach and Representation: Mobile surveys ensure voices from hard-to-reach populations are included in evaluations.
• Improve Cost-Effectiveness: Mobile data collection reduces operational costs compared to traditional face-to-face methods.
• Increase Data Accuracy and Security: Automated data collection minimizes human error and provides instant digital records.

Mobile Tools for Donor Impact Reporting

Donors require transparent, data-backed impact reports to validate funding effectiveness. Mobile-based MEAL tools support this by:

• Enabling Quick Survey Deployment: NGOs can rapidly distribute surveys to beneficiaries, field staff, and stakeholders.
• Providing Dashboards for Live Data Visualization: Interactive dashboards offer real-time insights into project progress.
• Ensuring Continuous Feedback Loops: Mobile channels allow beneficiaries to report challenges or provide suggestions in real time.
• Supporting Remote Monitoring in Crisis Situations: Mobile data collection is invaluable for tracking projects in conflict zones, disaster responses, and remote regions.

The Bottomline

Recently, mobile-based MEAL solutions have transformed the way NGOs, donors, and policymakers track project success. With proven impact now a core concern for donors, organizations use mobile technology to enhance monitoring efficiency, improve accountability, and generate real-time insights that drive impactful decision-making. As digital tools become more accessible, integrating mobile into MEAL strategies will be key to ensuring the success of donor-funded projects worldwide.

For the last decade, GeoPoll has perfected mobile-based MEAL solutions tailored for emerging countries. Our platform enables real-time data collection, analysis, and impact reporting to drive data-informed decision-making. Learn more about how GeoPoll can support your MEAL strategies—contact us today!

The post MEAL: Using Mobile to Track the Impact of Donor-Funded Projects appeared first on GeoPoll.

The Malnutrition Crisis in the Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa, comprising countries Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti, has one of the highest rates of food insecurity globally. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns have drastically reduced agricultural productivity, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition. In addition, conflict-driven displacement and economic disruptions further exacerbate the crisis, making access to nutritious food increasingly difficult for millions.

Malnutrition manifests in various forms, including acute malnutrition, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies. In Somalia alone, UNICEF estimates that nearly half of all children under five are malnourished, with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) posing a life-threatening risk. Addressing this crisis requires more than food aid; it necessitates a data-driven, systems-based approach to enhance resilience and long-term food security.

The Power of Data in Strengthening Food Systems

Data-driven solutions are transforming how governments, NGOs, and development agencies respond to malnutrition. By collecting and analyzing real-time data, stakeholders can identify trends, predict food shortages, and implement targeted nutritional interventions. Key data-driven strategies include:

1. Early Warning Systems
   • Predictive analytics help identify regions at risk of food shortages by monitoring weather patterns, crop yields, and market prices.
   • Organizations like the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provide data that informs emergency responses and policy decisions.
2. Mobile-Based Data Collection
   • Mobile surveys enable rapid data collection from affected populations, offering real-time insights into food consumption patterns and nutritional deficiencies.
   • GeoPoll has been at the forefront of leveraging mobile-based surveys to gather food security data in hard-to-reach areas. For example, GeoPoll has worked with WFP to conduct remote surveys to assess food access and affordability, allowing humanitarian organizations to design timely interventions.
3. Market and Pricing Data for Food Security
   • Understanding market dynamics is critical to addressing food insecurity. Real-time monitoring of food prices and availability helps anticipate supply chain disruptions.
   • GeoPoll’s mobile-based price tracking solutions have been instrumental in providing insights into staple food price fluctuations, helping policymakers stabilize markets and protect vulnerable consumers.
4. Impact Evaluation of Nutrition Programs
   • Data analytics play a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness of food aid and nutrition programs. By measuring dietary intake, food distribution efficiency, and health outcomes, stakeholders can refine their approaches.
   • GeoPoll’s survey capabilities allow organizations to track program impact over time, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.

The Way Forward: Strengthening Data-Driven Food Security Solutions

To effectively tackle malnutrition in the Horn of Africa, governments, donors, and NGOs must invest in more robust data collection and analytics capabilities. Key recommendations include:

• Expanding mobile-based survey methodologies to reach marginalized communities.
• Strengthening collaboration between public and private sectors to enhance food system resilience.
• Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to predict food crises more accurately.
• Ensuring data transparency and accessibility to support evidence-based policymaking.

Malnutrition in the Horn of Africa is a complex, multifaceted issue that requires innovative, data-driven solutions. Leveraging real-time data collection, predictive analytics, and mobile-based research can help stakeholders make informed decisions to strengthen food systems and improve nutritional outcomes. GeoPoll remains committed to supporting these efforts by providing reliable, timely data that informs impactful interventions.

As the region continues to grapple with climate and economic challenges, integrating data-driven strategies into food security initiatives will be crucial in building a more resilient and nourished Horn of Africa.

Please contact us to learn more about our work in food security and nutrition.

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Why Data Matters in Migration Policy

Effective migration policies hinge on accurate, up-to-date data. Understanding where, why, and how people move is essential for designing interventions that balance the needs of migrants with those of source, host, and transit countries. Data helps policymakers:

• Monitor Trends: Identify spikes in migration flows, seasonal patterns, and emerging hotspots.
• Assess Drivers: Determine the root causes of migration, such as unemployment, violence, or environmental changes.
• Measure Impact: Evaluate how policies, such as visa restrictions or deportation agreements, influence migration trends and the livelihoods of migrants.

In recent years, advancements in mobile data collection, geospatial mapping, and survey methodologies have revolutionized how migration data is gathered. Mobile-based surveys, for example, allow for real-time insights into migrant experiences, giving information that static censuses or administrative records often miss.

Current Context: Policy Shifts and Migration Impacts

The current wave of policy changes in North America, including stricter border controls and expedited deportation measures by the US, has brought fresh urgency to the need for comprehensive migration data. These policies not only affect migration routes but also have profound social and economic implications for Central America. Mass deportations, for example, can strain local economies, disrupt families, and amplify vulnerabilities in communities already grappling with high poverty and unemployment rates.

Understanding the ripple effects of such policies requires more than anecdotal evidence. Governments and organizations must lean on robust data to assess both short- and long-term impacts, ensuring that their responses are informed and equitable.

Bridging the Gap Between Data and Policy

Despite the availability of tools and technologies, many regions in Central America face data gaps. Informal migration, for instance, is notoriously hard to track, and the transient nature of migrant populations adds complexity. Bridging this gap requires partnerships across borders, sectors, and disciplines.

At this intersection of policy and data lies an opportunity to create meaningful change. Organizations like GeoPoll have pioneered innovative methods for collecting migration data, leveraging mobile technology to reach populations that are often invisible in traditional surveys. Near-real-time insights empower decision-makers to adapt policies based on emerging trends and to better understand the lived experiences of migrants.

Challenges in Data Collection

Despite technological advances, collecting accurate and comprehensive migration data remains fraught with challenges. These barriers not only hinder the ability to fully understand migration dynamics but also highlight opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Access Limitations

Reaching migrant populations—especially informal migrants—poses significant obstacles:

• Undocumented Populations: Migrants without official documentation may avoid participating in formal surveys due to fears of detection or deportation.
• Remote Areas: Migrants traveling through or residing in isolated regions often lack access to reliable communication infrastructure, making it difficult to include their voices in traditional surveys.
• Language Barriers: Linguistic diversity among migrants can reduce the accuracy and reliability of responses, particularly when surveys fail to accommodate multiple languages or dialects.
• Trust Issues: Many migrants are wary of sharing personal information due to privacy concerns, further limiting participation rates.

Methodological Challenges

Even when access is possible, migration research involves navigating complex methodological hurdles:

• Privacy Concerns: The sensitive nature of migration data, including personal identifiers and migration status, creates ethical dilemmas and often limits the scope of data collection.
• Cross-Border Legal Restrictions: Data sharing between countries is often hindered by regulatory barriers, complicating efforts to understand transnational migration patterns.
• Rapid Population Movement: Migrants’ mobility can disrupt longitudinal studies, as participants may become unreachable over time.
• Resource Constraints: Limited budgets and capacity often restrict the frequency and depth of surveys, especially in under-resourced regions.

Solutions and Opportunities

Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions, many of which align with GeoPoll’s expertise in mobile-based data collection and advanced analytics. GeoPoll offers scalable, adaptable methods to overcome these barriers:

• Mobile Surveys: GeoPoll’s mobile technology reaches remote populations via SMS, voice, and mobile web, ensuring that even hard-to-reach groups can participate.
• Localized Questionnaires: Surveys are designed in multiple languages and tailored to the cultural context, improving response quality and inclusivity.
• Building Trust: GeoPoll emphasizes transparency and anonymity, fostering trust among participants and encouraging higher engagement rates. With local teams in the areas, we build a relatability that helps open up respondents and provide the required local context.
• Real-Time Insights: GeoPoll’s platform enables quick turnaround times, delivering actionable data that adapts to the fast-changing dynamics of migration.

Looking Ahead: Building a Data-Driven Future for Migration 

As migration continues to shape the socio-political landscape of Central America, data will play an increasingly vital role in crafting effective policies. Policymakers, researchers, and development organizations must collaborate to ensure that the data they collect and analyze leads to actionable insights that protect the rights of migrants while addressing the needs of host communities.

GeoPoll is uniquely positioned to support these efforts, offering tools and expertise that address the challenges of migration research head-on. By partnering with governments, NGOs, and international organizations, GeoPoll contributes to a data-driven understanding of one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

For more information on how GeoPoll’s migration data solutions can support your work, contact us today.

The post The Intersection of Policy and Data: Understanding the Impact of Migration and Immigration Policies in Central America appeared first on GeoPoll.

Public health challenges are deeply intertwined with human behavior. From vaccine hesitancy to lifestyle habits driving non-communicable diseases (NCDs), understanding and influencing behavior is at the core of improving global health outcomes. While the importance of behavior change in public health is well established, accessing timely, reliable data on population behaviors remains a challenge, particularly in low-resource and hard-to-reach regions.

This is where innovative, data-driven approaches are bridging the gap. Mobile technology, in particular, has emerged as a critical tool for gathering insights into health behaviors quickly and efficiently. By identifying barriers to behavior change, understanding cultural contexts, and highlighting areas of intervention, real-time data empowers governments, NGOs, and healthcare organizations to design targeted solutions that drive measurable public health improvements.

The Critical Role of Behavior Change in Public Health

Behavior change is a cornerstone of public health initiatives worldwide. Whether it is encouraging communities to adopt preventive measures during a pandemic or promoting healthier lifestyles to combat rising NCDs, success hinges on understanding and influencing human behavior.

For example, the adoption of vaccines has been one of the most effective tools for combating infectious diseases. However, vaccine hesitancy—driven by fear, misinformation, and cultural beliefs—continues to undermine progress. Behavioral barriers often prevent individuals and communities from engaging in preventive or curative health measures, even when access to healthcare is available.

Similarly, lifestyle-related NCDs, such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, are on the rise worldwide. These conditions are directly tied to behaviors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. Tackling these requires more than education; it demands actionable insights into the root causes of these behaviors, as well as culturally relevant approaches to encourage change.

Behavioral insights offer public health stakeholders the tools to:

• Identify the root causes of health behaviors, such as economic pressures, misinformation, or lack of access to services.
• Address gaps in knowledge through targeted communication and culturally appropriate messaging.
• Measure intervention effectiveness and adapt campaigns to improve outcomes.

Real-time, localized data is essential to understanding these nuances and informing strategies that resonate with specific populations. Without this data, even the best-funded initiatives may fall short of achieving behavior change.

Leveraging Mobile Data to Understand Health Behaviors

Mobile data collection has transformed public health research, particularly in regions where traditional survey methods face significant barriers. Mobile surveys are faster, more affordable, and capable of reaching geographically or socially inaccessible populations. They provide a window into real-time behaviors, allowing public health stakeholders to act quickly.

For example:

• Monitoring Pandemic Behaviors: During the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Mpox and Ebola outbreaks, GeoPoll conducted rapid surveys to understand mask-wearing habits, social distancing compliance, and vaccine acceptance across multiple countries. These insights helped health authorities tailor awareness campaigns and address public concerns in real time.
• Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition: In areas where literacy levels are low, GeoPoll’s voice-based surveys for Unicef allowed mothers to share their experiences accessing healthcare services, identifying barriers such as distance to facilities, cost, health-seeking behaviour and access to nutrition services.
• Health Lifestyle Changes: Most public health initiatives require lifestyle changes at the community and individual levels. For example, many populations in LMICs practice open defecation due to a lack of latrines and toilets, which leads to the spread of many communicable diseases such as cholera, as food and water get contaminated. Mobile-based surveys can help understand the prevalence at the beginning and also to evaluate the impact of interventions. For example, GeoPoll worked with DFID’s Nyumba ni Choo in Tanzania to measure the improvement to sanitation after nationwide campaigns to sensitize populations.
• Nutrition and NCD Prevention: Behavioral surveys have highlighted the factors influencing poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, offering actionable insights for intervention programs promoting healthier behaviors.

Mobile-based data collection overcomes common limitations of public health research, such as low response rates, high costs, and the time delays associated with face-to-face methods. The tools gather data quickly and effectively, and they provide a vital foundation for behavior change interventions.

Targeting Youth Behavior for Lasting Impact

Another great example where mobile-based surveys are particularly impactful is among the youth. Young people are at the forefront of public health challenges and solutions and are also the keys to sustainable interventions for the future. As the largest and fastest-growing demographic in many regions, youth are particularly vulnerable to issues such as mental health, risky behaviors, and NCDs. However, they are also digital natives who can serve as powerful advocates for behavior change within their families and communities.

• Mental Health Awareness: Increasing stress, depression, and stigma around seeking help are prevalent among young people. Behavioral data highlights the need for mental health education and accessible support systems, particularly in underserved regions. GeoPoll recently conducted a successful survey on mental health via our mobile app, which probably would not have been as successful among older people in rural areas.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health: Understanding youth attitudes toward sexual health, contraception, and education helps stakeholders develop culturally appropriate interventions. Surveys show that misconceptions and lack of access remain major barriers to informed decisions around sexual health. In the past, GeoPoll worked with PSI to conduct surveys on experience using the OraQuick Self-Test HIV kits.
• Lifestyle and NCD Risk: Youth behavior is foundational for preventing NCDs. Data indicates that sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, and smoking habits often begin during adolescence. By promoting behavior change early, public health initiatives can create healthier generations. One way of getting across this information is via the media – whether social or traditional – and this can be followed up by media monitoring.

Young people are not just participants but key drivers of change. With the right data, youth-centered interventions can be tailored to engage them meaningfully and amplify their role in achieving public health goals.

Combating Misinformation to Enable Positive Behaviors

Misinformation has become one of the greatest challenges to public health efforts. From myths about vaccines to misconceptions about diseases, misinformation can erode trust, hinder interventions, and exacerbate health crises.

Understanding misinformation requires continuous, real-time monitoring of public perceptions. For instance:

• When novel malaria vaccines were launched across Africa, a multicountry survey highlighted common fears and misconceptions, such as concerns about side effects or skepticism about efficacy. This data informed targeted awareness efforts that directly addressed these myths with factual, culturally sensitive messaging.
• In times of outbreaks, such as Mpox or COVID-19, misinformation about transmission methods created panic and led to harmful behaviors. GeoPoll’s rapid data collection enabled health organizations to respond quickly and correct these misunderstandings.

Using such surveys, public health stakeholders can design campaigns that rebuild trust and promote positive health behaviors by identifying misinformation early and understanding its spread.

Turning Behavioral Insights Into Actionable Change

Behavioral data is a powerful tool, but its value lies in its ability to drive real action. Insights gathered through innovative data solutions help public health organizations:

• Design effective policies: Governments can identify health priorities, allocate resources efficiently, and address systemic gaps in healthcare access.
• Measure and adapt campaigns: NGOs and health stakeholders can evaluate the success of their interventions, identify what works, and refine strategies for better outcomes.
• Improve healthcare delivery: Data highlighting barriers—such as cost, accessibility, or stigma—informs improvements in health systems and service delivery.

For instance, a campaign to increase vaccination rates may start with identifying why uptake is low, whether due to logistical challenges, misinformation, or cultural barriers. Behavioral data enables tailored solutions, such as awareness drives, improved access, or community engagement initiatives, ensuring the intervention achieves its goals.

The Bottomline

Behavior change is essential to solving the world’s most pressing public health challenges, from infectious disease outbreaks to the rising burden of NCDs. However, achieving behavior change requires a deep understanding of the factors influencing people’s actions. By leveraging innovative tools like mobile data collection, public health stakeholders can gather the insights needed to address barriers, combat misinformation, and design interventions that drive lasting impact.

From engaging youth populations to strengthening health systems and tackling misinformation, behavior-focused approaches informed by real-time data are transforming public health outcomes. As we face an increasingly complex global health landscape, the ability to understand and influence behavior will remain at the heart of building healthier, more resilient communities.

This is where GeoPoll comes in. Leveraging mobile technology and innovative data solutions, GeoPoll enables governments, NGOs, and public health organizations to gather real-time insights on behaviors that impact health. GeoPoll’s data empowers stakeholders to design targeted, actionable solutions that drive measurable improvements in public health. Please contact our team to learn more.

The post Public Health Change: Understanding Behavior Through Data appeared first on GeoPoll.

Survey Methodology

The study was conducted in Portuguese using GeoPoll’s Mobile Web research platform. Mobile Web is a link-based survey mode that can be taken on a very basic mobile phone browser.

For this survey, GeoPoll randomly sampled members from the extensive GeoPoll database of mobile subscribers in each province in Mozambique. This approach is called simple random sampling and accesses the overall database each day. The sampling strategy was intended to gather data from a range of age groups, gender, and locations within Mozambique.

To bolster the survey’s reach throughout Mozambique, GeoPoll also deployed online advertising channels, leveraging a methodology tailored to the specific demographics and profiles of the intended respondents.

In total, 750 respondents participated in the survey. All 11 provinces in Mozambique were represented, with the largest segments from Maputo and Maputo City.

The distribution by gender was 77% male, 22% female, and 2% that specified “other.” Most respondents fell within the 25-34 age range at 61%, followed by the

16-24 age range at 23%, and the 35+ age range at 17%.

All 750 respondents included in the survey were required to own or otherwise have access to a smartphone.

Survey Findings

Key takeaways from the research include:

• Although 95% of respondents in this study personally own a smartphone and the remaining 5% have access to a smartphone owned by a spouse, family member, friend, etc., only 69% of respondents consider themselves the primary user of the smartphone (suggesting a significant number of shared devices).
• Slightly more men consider themselves the primary user (71%) compared to women (64%).
• Women are more likely than men to have just started using a smartphone within the past year (10% vs. 5%).
• Social media and messaging are by far the most widely installed and used smartphone apps across gender and age groups.
• Almost all respondents use Facebook (93%), and most use WhatsApp (81%) and SMS/text messaging (79%).
• Most smartphone users regardless of gender or age rely on mobile data as their primary means for accessing the internet (93%) and access the internet multiple times a day (88%).
• Most access social media multiple times a day (87%), primarily using their smartphone (79%), and spend at least 30 minutes each time they access it (72%).
• Data costs pose the biggest challenge to using social media and apps (69%), followed by internet connectivity (37%), and privacy concerns (31%).
• Perceptions of social media’s impact on local culture and society skew positive overall. A third of respondents believe the impact is very positive (32%), ranging from 39% for respondents ages 35+ to 24% for respondents ages 16-24.
• Most respondents across gender and age groups are using health-related apps or chats on their smartphone (84%), and almost all express at least some level of trust in the apps/chats they use.
• When asked which types of apps they would prioritize if they had limited time, money, or access to their phone, by far the largest segment of respondents said health apps (48%), rising to 52% for women.

Click here to download GeoPoll’s full written report on smartphone and social media usage in Mozambique.

About GeoPoll

GeoPoll provides full-service research solutions in more than 120 countries globally, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. Every year, GeoPoll completes over 5 million surveys via multiple mobile-based remote and in-person data collection modes, powered by a network of 10,000+ interviewers from 65 call centers, local teams, and direct partnerships with mobile network operators. Contact us to learn more about this study and our capabilities.

About Project Last Mile

If you can find an ice-cold Coca-Cola product almost anywhere in Africa, why not life-saving medicines? Project Last Mile is a global cross-sector partnership between donors, ministries of health, and the private sector that translates supply chain and marketing best practices from the Coca-Cola ecosystem into customized solutions for public health challenges. We focus on route-to- market, cold chain strengthening, and strategic marketing and communications. We aim to improve access, availability, and demand for life-saving medicines and health services down to the last mile in Africa. Since the first pilot in 2009, Project Last Mile has transformed into a leading public-private partnership for health. We have undertaken over 59 projects across 17 African countries, impacting the lives of more than 43 million people.

Find out more at www.projectlastmile.com.

The post Project Last Mile – Smartphone and Social Media Usage Landscape in Mozambique appeared first on GeoPoll.

However, ensuring the effectiveness of these initiatives requires robust impact assessment mechanisms. Traditional methods of assessing program outcomes, such as paper-based assessments, often struggle with high costs, logistical challenges, and delays in data collection. On the flip side, mobile-based surveys offer a powerful, scalable, and cost-effective alternative, enabling organizations to gather real-time data, reach diverse populations, and make evidence-based decisions.

Through this article, we call in GeoPoll’s expertise and look at how mobile-based surveys can revolutionize impact assessment for youth and women projects across Africa.

Why Measure Impact?

Simply put, impact assessment is essential for understanding whether a program achieves its intended objectives. For youth and women-focused projects, measuring impact can help:

1. Demonstrate Effectiveness: Show stakeholders, including funders and partners, that investments yield tangible results.
2. Inform Decision-Making: Use data to refine strategies, allocate resources effectively, and scale successful initiatives.
3. Accountability: Ensure programs remain transparent and aligned with the needs of their beneficiaries.
4. Build Sustainability: Identify long-term outcomes and adapt programs to maintain their relevance over time.

Accurate, timely data is the foundation of effective impact assessment, and mobile-based surveys offer an ideal solution for collecting it.

The Advantages of Mobile-Based Surveys for Impact Assessment

Mobile-based surveys bring numerous benefits to organizations seeking to evaluate the impact of youth and women programs:

1. Reach Remote Communities: Mobile surveys can connect with respondents in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, including those without access to traditional data collection methods. This inclusivity ensures the voices of marginalized youth and women are captured.
2. Real-Time Data Collection: Programs can gather immediate feedback from participants, enabling organizations to track progress dynamically and make mid-course adjustments if needed.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: Mobile surveys eliminate logistical costs such as field travel, printed materials, and manual data entry, making them an affordable option for NGOs, INGOs, and development agencies.
4. High Response Rates: With mobile devices being ubiquitous across Africa, SMS, mobile web, and CATI surveys offer respondents a convenient way to participate, often leading to higher response rates.
5. Scalability: Whether assessing a small pilot project or a large-scale initiative, mobile surveys can easily scale to accommodate the required sample size and geographical coverage.

How Mobile-Based Surveys Enhance Impact Assessment for Youth and Women Programs 

1. Baseline and Endline Surveys

Mobile surveys are instrumental in establishing baselines before a project begins and conducting endline assessments to measure changes. For example:

• Youth Employment Programs: Use baseline surveys to gather data on participants’ skills, employment status, and income levels. After the program, conduct an endline survey to track improvements in these metrics.
• Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiatives: Measure participants’ business performance, access to finance, and market reach before and after the intervention.

2. Real-Time Monitoring and Feedback

Mobile surveys enable continuous data collection throughout a program’s lifecycle. This ongoing feedback helps organizations:

• Identify areas for improvement while the program is still running.
• Understand beneficiaries’ satisfaction and challenges in real time.
• Adjust interventions to meet participants’ needs better.

For instance, a training program for women entrepreneurs can use mobile surveys to gauge participants’ understanding of concepts after each session and ensure that the curriculum meets their needs.

3. Post-Program Evaluation

Evaluating long-term impact is vital to determine whether a program’s benefits are sustained over time. Mobile surveys allow organizations to follow up with participants months or even years after a project ends. Examples include:

• Tracking youth who completed vocational training to assess their employment retention or business growth.
• Monitoring women entrepreneurs to understand how their businesses evolve and whether they continue to benefit from program interventions. 

4. Gender-Sensitive Data Collection

Mobile surveys can be designed to address gender-specific issues, ensuring women’s perspectives are accurately captured. Features like anonymous responses can encourage participants to share honest feedback, particularly when addressing sensitive topics such as gender discrimination or access to financial services.

Case Example: Driving Impact for Youth Empowerment through Mobile Surveys

A global foundation committed to creating sustainable opportunities for youth in Africa funded an initiative aimed at improving employment outcomes for young people in Kenya. The program focused on providing vocational training and entrepreneurship support to equip youth with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.

To ensure the initiative’s success and align with its values of transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and measurable impact, the foundation partnered with GeoPoll to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment using mobile-based surveys.

How GeoPoll Supported the Initiative

1. Baseline Data Collection:

• • At the program’s outset, GeoPoll conducted a baseline survey via SMS to gather data on participants’ demographics, employment status, skill levels, and career aspirations. This provided a clear starting point for measuring the program’s impact.
  • The baseline data also highlighted key challenges, such as gaps in digital literacy and access to job opportunities, helping refine the program’s focus.

2. Real-Time Monitoring:

• • • Throughout the initiative, GeoPoll deployed periodic mobile surveys to track participants’ progress. For example:
      • During training sessions, youth participants were surveyed on their understanding of course materials and satisfaction with the trainers.
      • Participants involved in entrepreneurship support shared updates on their business development, including challenges they faced and additional resources they needed.

The real-time feedback enabled the implementing organization to adjust the training content, improve delivery methods, and address participant concerns promptly.

3. Endline and Impact Evaluation:

• • At the conclusion of the program, GeoPoll conducted an endline survey to measure outcomes such as:
    • Increases in employment rates among participants.
    • Growth in incomes for those who started businesses.
    • Changes in participants’ perceptions of their career prospects and overall confidence.
  • The results were compared with the baseline data, providing a clear picture of the program’s impact and identifying areas for future improvement.

4. Post-Program Follow-Up:

• • Six months after the program ended, GeoPoll carried out a follow-up survey to assess the sustainability of the outcomes. Key insights included:
    • Participants’ continued employment or business performance.
    • Challenges faced in scaling their businesses or retaining jobs.
    • Additional support participants felt they needed to succeed long-term.
  • This follow-up data helped the foundation plan for future iterations of the program and provided evidence of the initiative’s sustained impact.

Outcomes

Using GeoPoll’s mobile survey capabilities, the foundation achieved transparency through real-time reporting, gained evidence-based insights that guided program improvements, and demonstrated impact with measurable outcomes like increased employment rates and income growth. Mobile surveys efficiently collected data from urban and rural areas in Kenya, avoiding logistical challenges and reinforcing the need for continued investment in youth initiatives. This case highlights the vital role mobile surveys play in evaluating youth programs and fostering meaningful change for Africa’s youth.

Best Practices for Conducting Mobile-Based Impact Assessments

To maximize the effectiveness of mobile-based surveys, organizations should follow these best practices:

1. Design Clear and Concise Surveys: Keep questions simple and relevant to ensure high completion rates.
2. Choose the Right Mode: Use SMS for broad reach, mobile web for in-depth responses, or apps for multimedia surveys.
3. Segment Audiences: Tailor questions to specific groups, such as youth, women, or rural populations, to capture relevant insights.
4. Ensure Data Privacy: Protect respondents’ data by adhering to ethical standards and local regulations.
5. Analyze and Share Results: Use the data to generate actionable insights, create visual reports, and share findings with stakeholders.

GeoPoll: Your Partner in Impact Assessment

GeoPoll has been at the forefront of mobile-based research across Africa, helping NGOs, INGOs, and development agencies assess the impact of their programs. With expertise in mobile-based surveys, GeoPoll ensures that organizations can gather reliable, actionable data from even the most remote regions.

Whether you’re measuring the outcomes of a youth employment initiative or evaluating the long-term effects of a women’s empowerment project, GeoPoll provides the tools and expertise to make your impact assessment efficient and effective.

Ready to measure the impact of your youth and women programs? Contact GeoPoll today to learn how mobile surveys can transform your evaluation process and amplify your impact.

The post Using Mobile-Based Surveys to Measure the Impact of Youth and Women Projects in Africa appeared first on GeoPoll.

During health crises, it is crucial for the global health agencies non-governmental organizations, governments, and national health bodies to play a vital role in combating misinformation. To enhance these efforts, they should prioritize proactive communication and utilize data intelligently.

Proactive, Transparent Communication

To effectively combat misinformation, it’s crucial to communicate clearly, consistently, and in a timely manner. Health organizations should provide the public with reliable and easily understandable information through various channels, such as social media, SMS alerts, and local and national media outlets.

GeoPoll data revealed that many people in sub-Saharan Africa turned to social media for news updates, but often encountered conflicting or false information. To address this, global health agencies should use social media platforms alongside other media outlets to flag or remove harmful content and amplify verified information.

Leveraging Data for Targeted Interventions

Health organizations can customize their messaging by examining data to target particular worries or misunderstandings within vulnerable populations or the public in general.

GeoPoll’s insights from mobile surveys and real-time data collection can be instrumental in identifying misinformation trends and understanding public sentiment in specific regions.

For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, GeoPoll found that communities with lower access to healthcare or education were more likely to believe in rumors about COVID-19 vaccines. The study showed that less than half the respondents (48%) believe they have been provided enough trustworthy information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Persistent rumors around the vaccine have clearly degraded peoples’ confidence in the information available to them and demonstrate the importance of stakeholders battling misinformation around vaccines.

Track Misinformation

Identifying the spread of misinformation in healthcare is essential for health organizations and policymakers. It allows them to monitor the sources of false information, track the exposure of the audience, and adjust their communication strategies accordingly.

GeoPoll Audience Measurement is an effective solution for monitoring media consumption habits and gaining insights into the dissemination of information across different channels. Through the use of real-time data collection, GeoPoll offers valuable understanding of audience behavior, media reach, and content interaction.

Future Approaches to Health Misinformation

In order to combat misinformation effectively, it is essential to make ongoing investments in technology and local expertise. GeoPoll’s mobile survey tools and real-time data collection provide valuable resources for monitoring public opinion and misinformation trends in developing regions. By integrating these tools with the health decision makers, extensive global health knowledge, organizations can enhance their ability to respond to health crises with accuracy and cultural awareness.

The cost of misinformation in the health sector is far too high to ignore, and only through collaborative efforts can we ensure that accurate information prevails during future health crises.

GeoPoll’s contribution to Health care and information

GeoPoll has made significant contributions to healthcare and information dissemination, particularly in emerging markets. By leveraging mobile technology, GeoPoll conducts large-scale surveys that provide real-time data on health trends, disease outbreaks, and public health behaviors. This information helps governments, NGOs, and healthcare organizations make informed decisions and implement targeted interventions.

Examples of GeoPoll’s Health Related Survey and report include

• GeoPoll conducted a remote study in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to understand the effects of COVID-19 on the region, revealing broad-reaching implications across all sectors. The study assessed how people were protecting themselves against the virus, including measures such as social distancing, handwashing, and respiratory hygiene. Less than half the respondents (48%) believe they have been provided enough trustworthy information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Persistent rumors around the vaccine have clearly degraded peoples’ confidence in the information available to them and demonstrate the importance of stakeholders battling misinformation around vaccines.

• Mpox Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: GeoPoll conducted a nationwide survey in the DRC to assess public awareness and concern about the mpox outbreak. Respondents’ primary sources of information about the mpox outbreak include social media (65%), TV (45%), radio (36%), and word of mouth (32%). Social media remains the most used source across gender and age groups. The most trusted source for information about mpox, however, is healthcare workers (52%). TV (37%), Radio (30%), and newspapers (24%) are also considered more trustworthy as a source than social media (23%).
• Zambia Cholera Outbreak: To assess public awareness and concern about the cholera outbreak, GeoPoll conducted a nationwide survey in Zambia using its proprietary Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) application. The survey findings revealed that less than a quarter of respondents have heard about cholera cases in their community or neighborhood (22%). That proportion increases to 43% in Lusaka where the outbreak was first reported and that remains the most-affected province. Conversely, only 5% of respondents from Muchinga say they have heard about cholera cases in their community.
• Parent Perceptions of the Malaria Vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa: To explore parents’ perceptions of the new and potentially revolutionary malaria vaccine, GeoPoll conducted an SMS mobile phone-based survey in February 2022 in several high-burden malaria countries: three from the original vaccine trial (Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi), as well as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Mozambique. Although more than 30 million African children under the age of five suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases every year, and half a million die, only 81% of parents in our study “strongly agree” with the statement that vaccines benefit their child’s health. That number drops down to 75% in Malawi and 67% in Ghana. Parents in Mozambique are the most likely to strongly agree with the statement at 91%.

• Ebola in DRC: As international aid organizations enacted plans to slow the spread of Ebola in DRC and mitigate its long-term effects, GeoPoll released the results of an SMS survey conducted with 483 people on-the-ground in the North Kivu province, including over 300 individuals in the city of Goma. The study showed that public places are seen as the highest risk areas for exposure to Ebola, with 41% stating public transport posed the biggest risk to exposure and 39% stating general public places were the biggest risk. 86% reported that they knew how to prevent themselves from contracting Ebola.

Contact us to learn more about how GeoPoll collects real-time health information to help governments, communities, donors, and implementing partners identify critical issues in health crises and health service delivery, strengthen health systems, refine social and behavior change (SBC) messaging, and respond to global health security threats.

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