GeoPoll https://www.geopoll.com/ High quality research from emerging markets Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:19:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 The Health Implications of Misinformation https://www.geopoll.com/blog/the-health-implications-of-misinformation/ https://www.geopoll.com/blog/the-health-implications-of-misinformation/#respond Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:49:56 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23343 The cost of misinformation in the health sector is one of the most tangible examples of its harmful effects. During the height […]

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The cost of misinformation in the health sector is one of the most tangible examples of its harmful effects. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about the virus’s origins, treatments, and vaccines created confusion and fear. GeoPoll report from African countries like Nigeria and South Africa showed that significant portions of the population believed in unverified treatments, leading many to avoid seeking proper medical care.

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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Plan International – Still We Dream: Girls and young people living through conflict https://www.geopoll.com/blog/plan-international-still-we-dream/ https://www.geopoll.com/blog/plan-international-still-we-dream/#respond Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:29:27 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23334 Each year, Plan International releases the State of the World’s Girls report to mark International Day of the Girl (11th October); it […]

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Each year, Plan International releases the State of the World’s Girls report to mark International Day of the Girl (11th October); it is an opportunity to hear directly from girls around the world about a central theme that affects their lives. This year GeoPoll proudly supported the 2024 edition, titled Still We Dream: Girls and Young People Living Through Conflict. The report offers insight into the realities faced by girls and young people living in conflict zones across the world, and how conflict impacts their everyday lives and in different ways, based on gender. The experiences of violence, educational disruption, livelihood loss, and emotional distress, brought on by conflict, vary for girls and young women, boys and young men, and how this will affect their lives in the future. This report presents recommendations that are calling for ceasefire, peace efforts, and to end all grave violations against children.

Plan International’s adjoining #UniteForPeace global campaign, launching for International Day of the Girl, calls for action across the research recommendations and seeks to mobilize the public and decision-makers to stand in solidarity with girls and all young people living in conflict.

Methodology

GeoPoll was proud to partner with Plan International in this important initiative, contributing to the collection of data that underpins the report’s findings. Using primarily our computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) capabilities and mobile surveys, we reached over 10,000 young people living in conflict areas across nine countries: Cameroon, Colombia, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Philippines.

The research combined Plan International’s expertise and in-depth qualitative interviews among youth with GeoPoll’s quantitative surveys, capturing the statistics and the personal stories that reveal the day-to-day realities for girls, boys, young women, and young men in conflict zones.

Findings

The results are both heartbreaking and an urgent call to action:

  • Girls and young women face a gauntlet of increased risks, from sexual violence to forced early marriage to the associated emotional distress.
  • Boys and young men grapple with the threat of conscription into armed groups.
  • Despite it all, these young people still dare to dream of peace and a brighter future and supporting them is critical.

The impact of Plan International’s report extends far beyond awareness. It serves as a clarion call for:

  • Immediate ceasefires and renewed peace efforts.
  • An end to violations against children in conflict zones.
  • Gender-sensitive approaches to humanitarian aid and education.
  • Increased psychosocial support for conflict-affected youth.

Read the Still We Dream report

We encourage you to read the full report and delve into the stories, data, and recommendations that can shape an international approach to supporting youth in conflict zones.

Read Still We Dream: Girls and Young People Living Through Conflict and join Plan International’s #UniteForPeace campaign here: https://plan-international.org/publications/still-we-dream

About GeoPoll

GeoPoll provides full-service research solutions in over 120 countries globally, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. Every year, GeoPoll completes more than 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 project and our capabilities. 

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GeoPoll Reports: Mpox Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo https://www.geopoll.com/blog/mpox-outbreak-drc-report/ https://www.geopoll.com/blog/mpox-outbreak-drc-report/#respond Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:47:16 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23281 In August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern following an alarming outbreak in […]

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In August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern following an alarming outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries. The announcement came a day after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of continental security. DR Congo alone has reported more than 30,000 cases and 990 deaths from the virus this year, mainly among children.

GeoPoll DRC Mpox Outbreak Research Report

As the global health community springs into action to support the DRC’s government-led response, GeoPoll conducted a nationwide survey in the DRC to assess public awareness and concern about the mpox outbreak. The remote mobile phone-based survey addressed a number of topics related to the outbreak, including:

  • Awareness of the mpox outbreak in the DRC
  • Understanding of mpox transmission and symptoms
  • Household and community mpox experience and risk
  • Awareness of the mpox vaccine
  • Intent to vaccinate for mpox and reasons for hesitancy
  • Sources of mpox and public health information
  • Assessment of the government’s reaction to the outbreak

Findings from the survey show that almost all respondents are aware of the current mpox outbreak in the DRC (92%), primarily hearing about it through social media. Most are also familiar with the symptoms and recommended prevention measures for the disease.

Vaccination presents a different story, however, with only 39% of respondents aware that an mpox vaccine is available, and only 35% likely to get the vaccine if it is. The primary drivers of hesitancy include uncertainty about the vaccine’s effectiveness, lack of knowledge/awareness, and potential health risks. Distrust of health facilities also presents an obstacle.

Click below to download GeoPoll’s full written report on the mpox outbreak in the DRC or scroll down to view the survey data in the interactive dashboard.


Interactive Data Dashboard

Dive deeper into GeoPoll’s data on the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo using the interactive dashboard below. The dashboard provides responses to each question in the survey, filterable by gender, age group, and province.

Collect Data During Humanitarian Crisis with GeoPoll

GeoPoll is a full-service market and social research agency that conducts surveys via computer- assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), short message service (SMS), WhatsApp, and mobile web/mobile application communications. We also conduct online and offline qualitative research.

GeoPoll regularly conducts international development and humanitarian aid research for United Nations agencies, NGOs, governments, humanitarian groups and other stakeholders in the development and relief sectors.

In times of crisis, GeoPoll’s mobile surveys can reach aid beneficiaries and vulnerable populations to collect vital data on food security, disaster relief, and more. Our remote research capabilities and innovative technology platform allow GeoPoll to survey communities that are inaccessible following natural disasters, conflict, or disease outbreaks, enabling organizations to gather on-the-ground insights in real-time and disseminate information quickly and safely.

For more information about GeoPoll and this report, contact us today.

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Brand Africa: Top Brands in Uganda https://www.geopoll.com/blog/brand-africa-top-brands-in-uganda/ https://www.geopoll.com/blog/brand-africa-top-brands-in-uganda/#respond Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:48:48 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23314 Brand Africa 100 is a leading authority on brand research across the continent, providing valuable insights into African consumers’ brand preferences and […]

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Brand Africa 100 is a leading authority on brand research across the continent, providing valuable insights into African consumers’ brand preferences and perceptions.  

GeoPoll, alongside Kantar, Integrate, Analysis, and other partners, conducted extensive surveys across more than 30 countries to assess the most admired brands. The results of the 14th edition were announced in May, with country announcements ongoing. Last week, the results for Uganda were announced, and we are happy to share the results. 

The findings unveiled a surprising revelation: while 86% of consumers admire African brands, only 14% of the most admired brands are actually manufactured in Africa.  

Similarly, the survey indicated that 65% of Ugandans have confidence in local brands, demonstrating a high level of trust and support for products and services made in Uganda. However, only 35% of respondents reported actively consuming these local brands. This significant gap between confidence and consumption highlights the larger obstacles that African brands encounter throughout the continent. 

The ceremony took place at Fontis Residence Hotel in Kampala, saw Thebe Ikalafeng, Chairman of Brand Africa, and Publics Africa Communications present awards to the most admirable Ugandan brands. 

Uganda’s Most Admired Brands   

Most Admired Consumer, Non-cyclical Brands 
  Ugandan    Non-Ugandan 
1  Mukwano Products  1  Unilever (UK) 
2  Jesa Milk  2  White Star (South Africa) 
3  Lato Milk  3  Blue Band (UK) 

 

Most Admired Personal Care Brands 

  Ugandan    Non-Ugandan 
1  Movit  1  Nivea (Germany) 
Most Admired Alcoholic Beverages Brands 
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Nile Breweries (Uganda) 
2  Nile Special (Uganda) 
3  Uganda Breweries (Uganda) 
Most Admired Non-Alcoholic Beverages Brands 
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Coca-Cola (USA) 
2  Pepsi (USA) 
3  Rwenzori Water (Uganda) 
Most Admired Telecommunication Brands 
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  MTN (South Africa) 
2  Airtel (India) 
3  Safaricom/M-Pesa (Kenya) 
Most Admired Electronics/Computers Brands 
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Samsung (South Korea) 
2  Apple (USA) 
3  Tecno (China) 
Most Admired Apparel Brands 
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Timberland (USA) 
2  Bata Shoes (Switzerland) 
3  Asos (UK) 
 Most Admired Auto-Manufacturers Brands 
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Toyota (Japan) 
2  Mercedes Benz (Germany) 
3  BMW (Germany) 
Most Admired Sports and Fitness Brands   
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Nike (USA) 
2  Adidas (Germany) 
3  Jordan (USA) 
Most Admired Technology 
  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Google (USA) 
2  Jumia (Nigeria) 
3  Amazon (USA) 
Most Admired Financial Services Brands 
  Ugandan    Non-Ugandan 
1  Centenary Bank  1  Standard Bank/Stanbic (South Africa) 
2  DFCU  2  ABSA (South Africa) 
3  Post Bank  3  Equity Bank (Kenya) 
Most Admired Media Brands 
  Ugandan    Non-Ugandan 
1  NBS Television  1  Nation Media/NTV (Kenya) 
2  Next Media  2  DStv (South Africa) 
3  BBS Terefayina  3  BBC (UK) 

Most Admired Doing Good for Society, Environment and People   

  Ugandan    Non-Ugandan    NGO 
1  Centenary Bank  1  MTN (South Africa)  1  UNICEF/United Nations (Int.) 
2  NBS  2  Coca Cola (USA)  2  WHO/OMS (Int.) 
3  BBS Terefayina  3  Tecno (China)  3  Croix rouge/Red Cross (Int.) 
4  Rwenzori Water  4  Unilever (UK)  4  NEMA (Uganda) 
5  Nile Breweries  5  Standard Bank/Stanbic (South Africa)  5  USAID (USA) 
Most Admired African Brands 
  Ugandan (Spontaneous Recall)    Ugandan (Aided Recall) 
1  MTN (South Africa)  1  MTN (South Africa) 
2  Dstv (South Africa)  2  Dstv (South Africa) 
3  Coca-Cola (USA)  3  Mukwano Products (Uganda) 
Country Contributing to a Better Africa 
1  Uganda  6  Kenya 
2  South Africa  7  Rwanda 
3  USA  8  Egypt 
4  Nigeria  9  UK 
5  China  10  Tanzania 
Most Admired Brand in Ugandan 
  Overall Admired Brand 
1  Coca Cola (USA) 
2  MTN (South Africa) 
3  Samsung (South Korea) 
Most Admired Ugandan Brand 
  Ugandan 
1  Mukwano Products 
2  Movit 
3  Nile Breweries 

At the ceremony, Ms. Doreen Silver Katusiime, the Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, emphasized the significance of the awards in relation to Uganda’s goal of promoting local content and fostering sustainable economic development. She stated, “Uganda takes great pride in hosting the Brand Africa 100 Awards, an event that deeply resonates with our vision of nurturing local talent and driving sustainable economic growth. The acknowledgement of these brands today extends beyond mere celebration of success; it serves as an inspiration for future generations of African entrepreneurs to strive for excellence and contribute to the ongoing prosperity of the continent.” 

Performance of African Brands 

African brands have retained a 14% share of Top 100 most admired brands in Africa for the second year in a row. African brands, led by South African telecommunications group, MTN, Nigerian conglomerate, Dangote, South African media group, DStv are among the overall most admired brands across the continent. Click here to get the full Top 100 most admired brands in Africa 

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Closing the Gap: How Local Context Improves AI Performance in Emerging Regions https://www.geopoll.com/blog/closing-the-ai-gap-local-context/ Wed, 25 Sep 2024 14:41:54 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23203 A critical challenge has emerged in the evolving world of artificial intelligence: the global disparity in AI model performance. As AI systems […]

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A critical challenge has emerged in the evolving world of artificial intelligence: the global disparity in AI model performance. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, from healthcare to finance to education, it’s crucial that these systems work effectively for all populations, not just those in developed Western nations. However, the reality is that many AI models struggle to perform adequately in emerging markets, particularly in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

This performance gap isn’t due to any inherent limitation of AI technology. Instead, it’s a direct result of the data used to train these models. The majority of AI systems are developed using datasets that predominantly represent Western contexts, leading to models that excel in these environments but falter when faced with the diverse linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic landscapes of emerging markets.

This article explores how integrating diverse, region-specific data can dramatically improve AI applications in emerging markets, using Africa as a compelling case study. As the topic unrolls, we’ll unroll why AI models need locally relevant data, how this data can be ethically sourced and integrated, and the transformative impact it can have on AI performance.


Before you continue…

GeoPoll is conducting a comparative study of AI-simulated surveys and traditional CATI in Kenya. The study, whose paper will be out in a couple of weeks, is investigating the effectiveness, efficiency, and data quality generated by AI models compared to traditional human-led surveys. We want to ascertain if AI-simulated surveys can provide data as reliable and nuanced as traditional respondent surveys, how AI models simulate human-like survey responses when controlled for demographics, and the differences in response rates, data consistency, and cost efficiency between AI-driven and human-led surveys. The survey itself explores various real aspects such as nutrition and food security, media consumption and internet usage, eCommerce, AI usage and opinions, and attitudes towards humanitarian aid in the country. 

If you are an expert in AI/research and would like to contribute to the study, a business or social leader interested in the report, or anyone who wants to get front-seat access to both the paper and the underlying report, please fill this form or subscribe to our newsletter to get the reports to your email.


The Global AI Performance Gap

The disparity in AI performance between developed and emerging markets is a concern in the tech industry. This gap manifests in various ways:

  1. Language Processing: Many AI models struggle with languages and dialects prevalent in emerging markets. For instance, a model trained primarily in English may falter when processing Swahili or colloquial Arabic. Even the English accents vary from country to country – Nigerians speak English in a different way from South Africans, who speak differently from Americans.
  2. Cultural Context: AI systems often misinterpret cultural nuances, idioms, and social norms unique to emerging markets, which leads to inappropriate or ineffective responses.
  3. Economic Disparities: Models trained on data from high-income countries may make incorrect assumptions about spending patterns, access to resources, or financial behaviors in emerging economies.
  4. Technological Infrastructure: AI applications designed for high-speed internet and advanced devices may underperform in regions with limited connectivity or older technology.
  5. Diverse Data Representation: The lack of diverse training data leads to biased outcomes, potentially reinforcing stereotypes or excluding minority groups within emerging markets.

This performance gap has real-world consequences. In healthcare, it could mean misdiagnoses or ineffective treatment recommendations. In finance, it might result in unfair loan rejections or inaccurate credit scoring. In education, it could lead to curriculum recommendations that don’t align with local educational standards or cultural values. In marketing, you might have seen distorted AI-generated images of people from some regions of the world.

The root cause of this disparity lies in the data used to train these AI models. Datasets predominantly sourced from Western countries fail to capture the complexity and diversity of emerging markets. This data bias creates a self-perpetuating cycle: AI systems perform poorly in these markets, leading to less adoption and fewer opportunities to gather relevant data, further widening the performance gap.

Addressing this issue is not just a matter of fairness; it’s a business imperative. As emerging markets continue to grow and play increasingly significant roles in the global economy, the need for AI systems that can effectively operate in these diverse contexts becomes crucial for companies looking to expand their reach and impact.

The Importance of Local Context in AI

To truly understand why local context is crucial for AI performance, we need to delve into the nature of AI systems and how they learn:

  1. Data-Driven Learning: AI models, particularly machine learning and deep learning systems, learn from the data they’re trained on. They identify patterns, correlations, and rules based on this data. If the training data lacks diversity or local context, the resulting model will have blind spots and biases.
  2. Contextual Understanding: Language, behavior, and decision-making are deeply rooted in cultural and socioeconomic contexts. An AI model needs exposure to these contexts to accurately interpret and respond to inputs from diverse user bases.
  3. Avoiding Misinterpretation: Without local context, AI systems may misinterpret user inputs or produce inappropriate outputs. For example, a chatbot trained on Western data might not understand the nuances of politeness in Asian cultures, leading to perceived rudeness or miscommunication.
  4. Relevance of Recommendation: In applications like e-commerce or content recommendation, understanding local preferences, trends, and availability is crucial for providing relevant suggestions to users.
  5. Ethical Considerations: AI systems that lack local context may inadvertently perpetuate biases or make decisions that are unethical or unfair when applied to different cultural settings.
  6. Regulatory Compliance: Different regions have varying regulations around data privacy, financial practices, and other areas where AI is applied. Models need to be trained on locally relevant data to ensure compliance with these regulations.

Incorporating local context into AI models isn’t just about improving performance metrics; it’s about creating systems that are truly useful and trustworthy for users in emerging markets. This approach leads to:

  • Improved User Experience: AI applications that understand local context provide more accurate, relevant, and culturally appropriate responses, enhancing user satisfaction and adoption.
  • Increased Efficiency: Locally-aware AI systems can streamline processes and decision-making in ways that are optimized for the specific market, leading to greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
  • Innovation Opportunities: Understanding local contexts can show unique use cases and innovative applications of AI that may not be apparent when viewing the market through a Western-centric lens.
  • Social Impact: Accurately serving the needs of emerging markets makes AI a powerful tool for addressing local challenges in areas like healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.

The key to achieving these benefits lies in sourcing high-quality, diverse data that accurately represents the target markets. This is where companies like GeoPoll play a crucial role, providing the essential local context that can transform AI performance in emerging markets.

AI in Africa

Africa serves as a compelling example of both the challenges and opportunities in adapting AI for emerging markets. With its diverse languages, cultures, and economic conditions, the continent presents a unique landscape for AI development and deployment.

Challenges:

  1. Linguistic Diversity: Africa is home to over 3,000 languages. Many AI models struggle with this linguistic complexity, especially with languages with limited digital presence. The accents are diverse even in global languages such as English, French, and Arabic, which are widely spoken in Africa.
  2. Infrastructure Limitations: Varying levels of internet connectivity and device access across the continent pose challenges for AI applications designed for high-bandwidth environments.
  3. Economic Disparities: The wide range of economic conditions across and within African countries requires AI models to be adaptable to different socioeconomic contexts.
  4. Data Scarcity: There’s a general lack of large-scale, quality datasets representing African users, which has historically limited the development of locally relevant AI models.

Opportunities and Success Stories:

Despite these challenges, there are promising developments in AI across Africa:

  1. Natural Language Processing (NLP): Projects like Lelapa and Masakhane are working on developing NLP models for African languages, improving machine translation and text analysis capabilities.
  2. Healthcare: AI is being used to enhance diagnostic capabilities in resource-limited settings. For example, a model trained on local data has shown promise in diagnosing malaria from smartphone images of blood samples.
  3. Agriculture: AI-powered apps are helping farmers predict weather patterns, detect crop diseases, and optimize resource use, contributing to food security efforts.
  4. Financial Inclusion: AI models adapted to local economic behaviors are improving credit scoring systems, enabling more accurate risk assessment for individuals without traditional credit histories.
  5. Education: Adaptive learning platforms using AI are being developed to cater to diverse educational needs across the continent, considering local curricula and learning styles.

There exists a huge transformative potential of AI when powered by contextually rich, local data. They also highlight the immense value that companies like GeoPoll can provide by offering access to diverse, high-quality datasets from across the African continent.

As AI continues to evolve and expand in Africa, the integration of local context through relevant data will be crucial in creating systems that truly serve and empower African users, bridging the global AI performance gap.

GeoPoll’s Role in Bridging the Gap

GeoPoll stands at the forefront of addressing the AI performance gap in emerging markets, particularly in Africa. With its extensive experience in conducting surveys and collecting data across diverse populations, GeoPoll is uniquely positioned to provide the critical ingredient for improving AI performance: high-quality, locally relevant data.

Key Contributions:

  1. Diverse Data Collection: GeoPoll’s methodologies allow for the collection of data from a wide range of demographics, including hard-to-reach populations. This ensures that AI models trained on this data are truly representative of the target markets.
  2. 1 million hours of African voice recordings GeoPoll holds an unmatched database of authentic African voice recordings from our surveys. We have over a million hours of voice recordings, in over 40 languages from all African countries. Combined with transcripts and possible translations, this is an invaluable asset from anyone looking to train LLMs based on African languages.
  3. Multi-Modal Data: GeoPoll collects data through various channels, including voice, SMS, and online surveys. This multi-modal approach captures a more comprehensive picture of user behaviors and preferences.
  4. Real-Time Insights: The company’s ability to gather real-time data allows for the creation of AI models that can adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and consumer behaviors.
  5. Ethical Data Practices: GeoPoll adheres to strict ethical standards in data collection, ensuring that the data used for AI training respects privacy and consent, crucial for building trust in AI systems.
  6. Local Expertise: With teams on the ground in many African countries, GeoPoll brings invaluable local knowledge to the data collection process, ensuring cultural nuances are properly captured.

Impact on AI Development:

By leveraging GeoPoll’s data, AI developers can:

  1. Improve Language Models: Train NLP models on real-world usage of local languages and dialects, improving translation, sentiment analysis, and chatbot performance.
  2. Enhance Predictive Analytics: Develop more accurate predictive models for consumer behavior, market trends, and economic indicators in emerging markets.
  3. Refine Recommendation Systems: Create more relevant and culturally appropriate recommendation algorithms for e-commerce, content delivery, and personalized services.
  4. Optimize Decision-Making AI: Improve the accuracy of AI-driven decision-making tools in areas that define the day-to-day activities of Africans, as well as business decisions.

The Bottomline

The global AI landscape is at a pivotal juncture. As we’ve explored throughout this article, the performance gap between AI systems in developed markets and emerging economies is not just a technological challenge – it’s an opportunity for innovation, inclusion, and impactful change.

The key to bridging this gap lies in recognizing the paramount importance of local context. AI systems, no matter how advanced, can only be as good as the data they’re trained on. In the diverse, complex environments of emerging markets like Africa, this means going beyond surface-level data collection to truly understand the nuances of language, culture, economic conditions, and social dynamics.

GeoPoll, with our extensive experience and innovative methodologies in data collection across emerging markets, is a crucial partner in this endeavor. We can provide rich, locally relevant datasets to enable the development of AI systems that don’t just work in these markets – they thrive, offering solutions tailored to local needs and challenges.

Learn more about GeoPoll AI Data Streams and voice recordings. Contact us to discuss how our data can slot into your AI project.

 

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GeoPoll Paris 2024 Post-Olympics Survey https://www.geopoll.com/blog/2024-post-olympics-survey/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:05:23 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23142 Prior to the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics in July, GeoPoll, in collaboration with mediaReach OMD, conducted a survey to assess […]

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Prior to the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics in July, GeoPoll, in collaboration with mediaReach OMD, conducted a survey to assess public perceptions around the games. The study was implemented using GeoPoll’s mobile web platform, surveying more than 2,250 respondents in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Topics covered included awareness of the games, interest, viewing intentions, favorite events, media consumption habits, betting trends, and perceptions of the event’s cultural and social impact.

Following the Closing Ceremony on 11 August, 2024, GeoPoll and mediaReach OMD reached out to respondents in Ghana and Nigeria again to explore how their actual viewership of the games compared to their pre-Olympics’ interest and intentions. The follow-up survey also assessed respondents’ intention to watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. This post details findings from the follow-up survey.

Viewership of the Paris 2024 Olympics

In the Pre-Olympics Survey, 97% of respondents in Nigeria and 92% of respondents in Ghana said they intended to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although dropping slightly, the percentage of respondents that said they did watch the games remains exceptionally high. Almost all respondents in Nigeria claim to have watched (95%) along with 86% of respondents in Ghana.

Watched 2024 Olympics

The slight decrease in actual viewership versus intent may be partially explained by the fact that a majority of respondents said there were major happenings or news that affected their viewership of the games.

News impacting interest in the games

Across countries, the events respondents were most interested in watching include football, athletics, basketball, swimming, and boxing. Football was by far the most popular event in Nigeria (51%) while Athletics was the most popular in Ghana (49%).

Top 5 Olympic Events

The fanfare of the Opening Ceremony drew a majority share of respondents in both Ghana (50%) and Nigeria (62%). An even larger share tuned in to watch their preferred games or events (72% in Ghana and 63% in Nigeria).

Programs watched

When it comes to following their favorite events, respondents are much more likely to watch the entire event than to just tune in for the quarterfinals, semifinals, finals, and/or medal ceremony.

Preferred Olympics viewing

Interest in the games goes beyond borders. Respondents in Ghana and Nigeria were just as likely if not more likely to watch or follow games or events that athletes from other countries were partaking in than events with athletes from their own country.

Local and foreign athletes

With the United States topping the gold and overall medal count, it follows that the majority of respondents watched games or events involving US athletes. Excitement around the gold medal match in men’s football between Spain and France, the men’s basketball final between the US and France, the women’s football final between the US and Brazil, and the women’s football bronze medal match between Germany and Spain help to explain the large number of respondents that watched events involving those countries.

Other countries watched

Media Consumption Habits

TV was the device of choice for watching the games, followed by mobile phone. Watching via mobile phone was particularly popular in Nigeria (68%). The top three platforms for watching the games in Nigeria were DStv (51%), streaming sites (51%), and GOtv (44%). In Ghana, the top three platforms were DStv (46%), streaming sites (44%), and terrestrial television stations (40%).

Devices and platforms used to watch

Respondents primarily watched the games live on TV rather than catching up via replays or news highlights.

Preferred TV Format

In terms of setting, most respondents watched the games…

TV viewing habits

Viewership increased throughout the day, with the highest percentage of respondents watching in the evenings from 6pm to 11pm.

Olympics viewing times

Olympics Sports Betting

Betting on the Olympics primarily followed expectations leading up to the games. In the Pre-Olympic Wurvey, 42% of respondents in Ghana said they expected to participate in betting. After the games, 45% said that they did participate. In Nigeria, 61% expected to bet compared to 59% that actually did.

Olympics betting

The most popular betting platforms in Ghana were SportyBet (63%), Betway (18%), and 1XBET (8%). In Nigeria the most popular platforms were Bet9ja (35%), SportyBet (28%), BetKing (11%), and 1XBET (11%).

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were held from 28 August to 8 September. Prior to the games, most respondents in Ghana were aware that Ghana would be participating in the games (75%). Awareness climbed to 83% in Nigeria. The majority of respondents in both countries said they were at least somewhat likely to follow the games.

2024 Paralympics

Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Looking ahead, 72% of respondents in Ghana and 67% of respondents in Nigeria said they are likely to watch or follow the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Likely to watch 2028 LA Olympics

Disappointment in their team’s success in Paris, particularly for fans in Nigeria, is likely dampening excitement for Los Angeles. When asked if their likelihood to watch the 2028 Olympics would change if there was a good representation of Ghanaian/Nigerian athletes, 66% of respondents in Ghana and 79% in Nigeria said that it would.

Local athlete representation

In addition to wanting to see a good representation of local athletes, almost all respondents said they would like to see more local brands associate with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Local brands association

Olympics Fan Experiences

Fans have always played a vital role in sport, and when it comes to the Olympics, the shared experiences of fans help bring together entire nations in support of their athletes. While fan experiences have traditionally revolved around the live event and arena of the games, fan experiences today can be both physical and digital, extending beyond the borders of the host country into the homes, bars, screens, and public spaces of participating countries around the world.

In our study, we asked respondents how interested they would be in attending official Olympics fan experiences for the 2028 Olympics in their home city, such as public viewings, interactive exhibits, athlete meet-and-greets, etc.

In both Ghana and Nigeria, most rate their interest in fan experiences as either very interested or extremely interested.

Local fan experiences

About This Survey

GeoPoll conducted this survey, in collaboration with mediaReach OMD, using its proprietary mobile web research platform. The survey reached 1,176 respondents, leveraging the OMD Consumer Intelligence (OCI) panel in Ghana and Nigeria.

Data collection occurred from 21-27 August, 2024.

The diverse sample for the study includes a gender composition of 73% male and 36% female, and an age breakdown of 8% ages 18-24, 53% ages 25-34, and 40% ages 35 and older.

For more information on the sample and methodology for this study or to conduct a research study of your own in Africa or around the world, contact GeoPoll today.

For more information about mediaReach OMD and its services, please visit www.mediareachomd.com.

To view the detailed report with findings and insights gathered prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, please visit the OMD Consumer Intelligence Platform or download the report here: https://www.mediareachomd.com/olympicsreport

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Mpox in Africa: Leveraging Mobile-Based Surveys to Inform Pharma’s Response and Public Health Strategies https://www.geopoll.com/blog/mpox-in-africa-research/ Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:17:43 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23120 Mpox continues to be a growing public health challenge across Africa. As governments, international development organizations, and pharmaceutical companies work on developing […]

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Mpox continues to be a growing public health challenge across Africa. As governments, international development organizations, and pharmaceutical companies work on developing and deploying vaccines and treatments, their response must be informed by real-time data that tracks the disease’s spread, public perceptions, and the effectiveness of health messaging, among other on-the-ground pointers. In situations where traditional data collection methods may face logistical challenges, such as the case of infectious diseases, mobile-based remote surveys have emerged as a key tool for gathering actionable insights.

GeoPoll is currently conducting a study on mpox in the DRC and are ready to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies, public health authorities, and other stakeholders interested in leveraging data to inform their mpox response. Reach out to learn more about the research, or subscribe to get the report when it’s out. 

In this article, we explore how real-time data collection can inform the international community’s response to mpox, drawing lessons from past projects that have shaped health strategies across Africa.

Real-Time Disease Tracking and the Power of the Mobile Phone:

Mobile phones have revolutionized how public health crises are tracked and managed, particularly in remote areas and in the case of infectious diseases. Mobile-based research across multiple modes is fast, safe, and inclusive, given mobile penetration, and the results can be accessed in real-time via dashboards.

For instance, during the Ebola crisis in West Africa and the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile-based surveys played a vital role in tracking the spread of disease and assessing public attitudes towards interventions. Throughout 2020 and 2021, GeoPoll conducted multiple surveys in several countries to assess the impact of COVID-19 through phone-based surveys that captured essential real-time data on essential aspects such as infections, humanitarian relief access, food security, and others. Similarly, we have deployed mobile surveys in the various ebola outbreaks in the DRC, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to measure prevalence and socio-economic impact.

For mpox, similar mobile-based data collection tools can track public perceptions, identify emerging hotspots, and ensure that interventions are responsive to the evolving nature of the outbreak. However, addressing the digital divide is crucial; in some regions, limited internet connectivity may skew survey results. To combat this, GeoPoll employs a multi-modal approach, combining SMS, voice calls, and online surveys to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Vaccine Hesitancy

The WHO and the CDC have already approved some vaccines for mpox. Pharmaceutical companies continue to play a pivotal role in developing vaccines and treatments for mpox. By leveraging data, they can prioritize research and development, optimize vaccine distribution, monitor vaccine efficacy and safety, and collaborate with public health agencies to develop effective public health messaging and support disease surveillance efforts.

However, history tells us that vaccine hesitancy has been a major challenge in responding to past pandemics in Africa, and it will likely be a significant barrier to controlling the spread of mpox. Understanding the factors driving vaccine hesitancy is essential for pharmaceutical companies and public health organizations to design targeted campaigns that encourage vaccine uptake. A study published in The Lancet highlighted the complexity of vaccine hesitancy in Africa, noting that factors such as mistrust in government, concerns about vaccine safety, and religious beliefs all play significant roles.

GeoPoll’s previous work on vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical differences between rural and urban populations in West and East Africa. For instance, in a survey we conducted in Nigeria, insights on public sentiment towards vaccination revealed that younger populations in urban areas were more accepting of vaccines, while rural communities exhibited higher levels of distrust. These findings allowed public health organizations to create tailored messaging campaigns aimed at building trust in rural communities. Similarly, we were involved in collecting public opinion data during the Ebola crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone, which helped identify key concerns that were preventing individuals from participating in public health initiatives. These insights were used to refine outreach strategies that successfully boosted participation in health campaigns.

In the case of mpox, understanding the underlying concerns that fuel vaccine hesitancy—whether they are rooted in misinformation, political dynamics, or cultural beliefs—can empower pharmaceutical companies to develop interventions that resonate with specific populations and drive higher vaccine acceptance.

Regional and Demographic Insights to tailor Pharma’s mpox Response

Africa’s geographical and demographic diversity necessitates a granular understanding of how mpox is impacting different regions and populations. This necessitates widespread research across the multiple countries that are either experiencing mpox or at risk. Cultural and linguistic differences may be quite diverse even in a single country. Public health interventions that fail to account for these nuances risk leaving vulnerable populations behind. Such data allows public and private sector stakeholders to prioritize resources and develop interventions customized to these populations’ needs.

During the ongoing mpox outbreak, similar insights are needed to help pharmaceutical companies and governments identify which regions are most affected, which populations are at highest risk, and how best to deploy limited resources. Mobile data collection offers a practical and efficient way to gather these insights, ensuring that interventions are data-driven and focused on those who need them most.

Public Health Messaging on Mpox and Behavioral Change

Effective public health messaging is crucial for managing the spread of diseases like mpox. Distributing vaccines is not enough; clear, targeted messaging that addresses public concerns and encourages healthy behaviors is equally important. This requires data-driven insights into how different communities perceive the disease and what motivates them to act.

One way is to leverage audience data to understand the best way to reach the various population segments. In the mpox hotspot, the DRC, GeoPoll, recently released a significant report on the media and audience landscape in the country. Such existing reports can be a quick way to plan message distribution. The other way is using mobile to test messaging concepts before launching a campaign. These insights were instrumental in adjusting the tone and content of messaging to better resonate with different population segments, thereby increasing compliance with public health directives. Ultimately, mobile surveys can be deployed to measure the impact of the messaging on public perceptions and behavioral change.

In the context of mpox, pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, and health authorities can leverage similar approaches to refine their messaging campaigns, ensuring they are both culturally relevant and effective at driving behavior change. Health organizations can increase public engagement with vaccination efforts and other preventive measures by tailoring public health messages based on real-time data.

The Bottom Line

As the mpox outbreak continues to evolve, pharmaceutical companies and public health organizations need real-time data to guide their interventions.

GeoPoll is committed to supporting pharmaceutical companies, health organizations, NGOs, and governments in their fight against mpox and future health challenges. Together, we can use data to inform targeted interventions, mitigate the impact of public health crises, and build more resilient health systems for the future. Our mobile-based surveys offer a unique and tried-and-tested way to gather insights on disease spread, public perception, and vaccine hesitancy, especially in under-resourced regions.

Contact us to learn how our research can support your efforts to control the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.

 

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Highlights from Brand Africa 100: Kenya’s Best Brands 2024 https://www.geopoll.com/blog/highlights-from-brand-africa-100-kenyas-best-brands-2024/ Thu, 05 Sep 2024 07:49:35 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=23005 On the evening of Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, at the Capital Club in Nairobi, Brand Africa awarded the best local and global […]

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On the evening of Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, at the Capital Club in Nairobi, Brand Africa awarded the best local and global brands admired by Kenyans from the 2024 Brand Africa 100, conducted continent-wide in collaboration with GeoPoll and Kantar. The event was attended by top decision-makers from several sectors including business, humanitarian, media, and government.  

The opening remarks were given by Gina Din-Kariuki, Chairperson of Brand Leadership Group and Founder & Chairperson of Gina Din Group, along with H.E. Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium. Both speakers emphasized the significance of local brands in influencing the future of Kenya and the world. 

The Master of Ceremony, Thebe Ikalafeng, who is the Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, shared insights about the Brand Africa 100 journey. He discussed how different countries across Africa perceive their brands. Later, he invited GeoPoll’s Senior Manager of Marketing and Outreach, Frankline Kibuacha, and Daniel Osema, MD of Kantar East Africa, to the stage. They shared details about the extensive surveys, which involved over 300,000 data points from more than 30 African countries. 

Key Data Points 

  • 30+ countries in all 5 regions representing 80% of the continent’s population, collectively account for 85% of Africa’s GDP 
  • 15000+ individuals over 18 years old. 
  • Over 300,000 brand mentions and 3,000 unique brands. 
  • Between 2011 and 2021, on average, only 20% of the most admired brands in Africa are made in Africa. 
  • Africans (64%) believe in Africa, but not loyal to African brands (14%) 

Kenya’s Most Admired Brands  

Most Admired Consumer, Non-cyclical Brands 

  Kenyan    Non-Kenyan 
1.  Ketepa Tea  1  Blue Band (UK) 
2  Bidco Kenya  2  Omo (UK) 
3  Brookside Milk  3  Pampers (USA) 

Most Admired Retail Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Naivas (Kenya) 
2  Kilimall (Kenya) 
3  Sarit (Kenya) 

Most Admired Personal Care Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Nivea (Germany) 
2  SoftCare (Kenya) 
3  Nice and Lovely (Kenya) 

Most Admired Alcoholic Beverages Brands 

  Kenyan    Non-Kenyan 
1  Tusker  1  Guinness (UK) 
2  EABL  2  Johnnie Walker (UK) 
3  Kenya Breweries  3  Heineken (Netherlands) 

Most Admired Non-Alcoholic Beverages Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Coca-Cola (USA) 
2  Fanta (USA) 
3  Dasani (USA) 

Most Admired Telecommunications Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Safaricom/Mpesa (Kenya) 
2  Telkom (Kenya) 
3  Faiba (Kenya) 

Most Admired Electronics/Computers Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Samsung (South Korea) 
2  Apple (USA) 
3  Tecno (China) 

Most Admired Auto-Manufacturers Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Toyota (Japan) 
2  Honda (Japan) 
3  Mercedes Benz (Germany) 

Most Admired Sports and Fitness Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Nike (USA) 
2  Adidas (Germany) 
3  Puma (Germany) 

Most Admired Technology Brands 

  Overall Admired Brands 
1  Google (USA) 
2  Microsoft (USA) 
3  Jumia (Nigeria) 

Most Admired Financial Services Brands 

  Kenyan    Non-Kenyan 
1  Equity Bank  1  ABSA (South Africa) 
2  KCB  2  Britam Insurance (Bahamas) 
3  Cooperative Bank  3  Standard Chartered (UK) 

Most Admired Media Brands 

  Kenyan    Non-Kenyan 
1  Citizen TV  1  DStv (South Africa) 
2  Royal Media  2  CNN (USA) 
3  Nation Media/ NTV  3  BBC (UK) 

Most Admired Doing Good for Society, Environment and People 

  Kenyan    Non-Kenyan    NGO 
1  Safaricom/Mpesa  1  Coca-Cola (USA)  1  UNICEF/United Nations  
2  Equity Bank  2  Samsung (South Korea)  2  Croix rouge/Red Cross  
3  NEMA  3  Nike (USA)  3  USAID  
4  KCB  4  Unilever (UK)  4  WHO/OMS  
5  Mombasa Cement  5  Colgate (USA)  5  Green World  

Outstanding Awards 

  • Africa Brand Leadership Excellence Award 

Dr. Abbas Gullet, the Chief Executive Officer of Boma Panafrican Ltd, and former Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society received the prestigious Africa Brand Leadership Excellence Award, acknowledging his exceptional contributions and impactful leadership across the continent. 

  • Africa Brand Leadership Awards 

Absa Kenya and its CEO Abdi Mohamed won the prestigious 2024 Africa Brand Leadership Awards, recognized for excellence in brand building and leadership.

  • Most Admired NGO/UN Doing Good for Society, Environment, and People Brand 

UNICEF Kenya received the Brand Africa award for the Most Admired NGO/UN Doing Good for Society, Environment, and People Brand in Kenya. They were recognized for their commitment to children’s rights and well-being across the country and beyond.    

The 2024 Brand Africa 

African brands have retained a 14% share of Top 100 most admired brands in Africa for the second year in a row. African brands, led by South African telecommunications group, MTN, Nigerian conglomerate, Dangote, Zambian consumer group, Trade Kings, Nigerian telecommunications group, Glo, South African media group, DStv and Ethiopian Airlines retain their respective positions as the Top 5 most admired African brands spontaneously recalled. Get the full top 100 brands in Africa. 

“Brand admiration is the most desired state of a brand’s health. Building, strengthening and leveraging it is the most important objective of branding.” – Park, MacInnis and Eisingerich, Building a Business People Love 

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Using Survey Data to Drive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) https://www.geopoll.com/blog/survey-data-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs/ Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:21:57 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=22999 In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 ambitious targets to end poverty, protect the […]

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In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 ambitious targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. As we approach the midpoint of this journey, the critical role of data—particularly survey data—in achieving these goals has become increasingly clear. This article explores how survey data is driving progress towards the SDGs and why it’s crucial for informed decision-making in sustainable development.

Sustainable Development Goals sdgs list

The Role of Data in Advancing SDGs

Data serves as the backbone of the SDG framework, providing the means to measure progress, identify areas needing attention, and inform policy decisions. Without accurate and timely data, it would be impossible to know if we’re on track to meet the 2030 targets or where to focus our efforts. Survey data serves as a vital tool in the SDG framework, offering unique insights that other data sources can’t provide:

  • Measuring progress: Data allows us to establish baselines and track improvements across all 17 goals. From poverty rates to carbon emissions, data provides the metrics needed to quantify change.
  • Identifying priority areas: By analyzing data trends, we can pinpoint which regions, demographics, or specific targets are lagging behind, enabling a more targeted approach to development efforts.
  • Informing policy and resource allocation: Data-driven insights help policymakers and organizations make evidence-based decisions on where to allocate resources and how to design effective interventions. They point out public needs and preferences, helps evaluate the impact of SDG-related interventions, and supports evidence-based decision-making in sustainable development efforts.
  • Direct insights from populations: Surveys capture people’s experiences, perceptions, and behaviors firsthand, providing a nuanced understanding of progress.
  • Filling data gaps: In regions where official statistics are lacking, surveys can provide essential information on key indicators.
  • Tracking hard-to-measure goals: Some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as those relating to well-being, governance, and discrimination, heavily depend on survey data. This data provides valuable insights into subjective experiences, which are crucial for holistic development.
  • Rapid assessment: Mobile and online surveys enable quick data collection, allowing timely responses to emerging issues or crises, and facilitating more frequent monitoring of SDG progress.
  • Direct insights from populations: Surveys capture people’s experiences, perceptions, and behaviors firsthand, and provide nuanced understanding of progress beyond official statistics. This allows for disaggregation by demographics, which is crucial for the SDG principle of “leaving no one behind”.

Examples of Key Types of Survey Data for SDGs

There are several types of surveys that provide valuable data for understanding sustainable development:

  • Household surveys: Provide important information about poverty, health, education, and living conditions. Examples include Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). They help in monitoring SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), and more.
  • Labor force surveys: Essential for tracking employment-related SDGs. They provide data on unemployment, informal employment, and decent work. These are key for monitoring SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
  • Opinion polls: Help gauge public awareness and attitudes towards sustainable development issues. They also measure the perceived quality of governance and institutions and contribute to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
  • Time-use surveys: Measure how people allocate their time between different activities. They are crucial for understanding unpaid work, leisure time, and work-life balance, and contribute to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work).
  • Agricultural surveys: Collect data on crop production, livestock, and farming practices. They are essential for monitoring SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and aspects of SDG 15 (Life on Land).

The list is as broad as it can be. Different types of surveys can be deployed to gather on-the-ground data on full SDGs or their subsets.

Challenges in Survey Data Collection for SDGs

Despite its importance, collecting comprehensive survey data presents several challenges. Ensuring representativeness is a primary concern, as surveys must reach all segments of the population, including marginalized groups. Remote or marginalized communities are often excluded from data collection efforts, skewing our understanding of progress. This involves overcoming barriers like illiteracy, lack of internet access, or cultural obstacles, and addressing potential biases in sampling and response rates.

In many developing regions around the world, there is a significant challenge related to robust data collection systems. This results in incomplete and unreliable information, leading to data gaps that hinder efforts to understand and address various social, economic, and environmental issues. Without comprehensive data, decision-makers are unable to fully grasp the extent of challenges and develop effective solutions, which can perpetuate disparities and impede progress. Efforts to improve data collection systems in these regions are crucial for enabling informed decision-making and facilitating positive change.

The frequency and timeliness of data collection pose another challenge. Traditional survey methods can be time-consuming and expensive, limiting how often data can be collected. Striking a balance between the need for timely data and the resource constraints of frequent large-scale surveys is an ongoing struggle. Ensuring data is available in time to inform policy decisions and SDG reporting adds another layer of complexity.

Maintaining data quality is crucial, which involves ensuring accuracy and reliability in survey responses, addressing issues of respondent fatigue, and maintaining consistency in data collection methods for comparability over time. The cost and resource requirements of large-scale surveys present significant hurdles, especially for developing countries with limited budgets.

Data harmonization is another critical challenge. Ensuring comparability of survey data across countries and over time, aligning survey questions and methodologies with SDG indicator requirements, and integrating survey data with other data sources for comprehensive SDG monitoring are all ongoing tasks that require coordination and standardization efforts.

GeoPoll’s Contribution to SDG Data Collection

At GeoPoll, we’re addressing these challenges through innovative mobile survey technology. Our mobile-based platform enables rapid data gathering across diverse populations in Africa and Asia, providing crucial insights for SDG-related projects. Some examples:

  • GeoPoll has worked with several international development organizations to collect data on food security, tracking SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and conducting regular surveys on food access and affordability worldwide. These surveys measure household food consumption patterns and coping strategies, providing early warning data on potential food crises.
  • Our multiple health surveys contribute to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by surveying access to healthcare services, tracking public awareness of health issues like the COVID-19 and ebola outbreaks, vaccine hesitancy and perceptions, and measuring subjective well-being and health indicators.
  • In support of SDG 4 (Quality Education), we help assess school enrollment rates, reasons for non-attendance, measure parental perceptions of education quality, and evaluate the impact of distance learning initiatives during school closures.
  • We have conducted surveys on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) to explore attitudes towards gender roles and women’s rights, measure women’s participation in decision-making and political representation, and assess the prevalence and perceptions of gender-based violence.
  • We also contribute to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by surveying household access to clean water and sanitation facilities, measuring time spent collecting water, and assessing community satisfaction with water and sanitation services.
  • For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), we track employment status, job satisfaction, and working conditions, measure access to finance and financial services and entrepreneurship opportunities, and assess the impact of economic shocks on households and businesses.
  • Climate Change is a real threat and GeoPoll has conducted several local and global surveys to collect data on public perceptions and ideas on climate change. Examples include partnering with UNDP to conduct the recent global Peoples Climate Vote, East Africa’s private sector investments in climate change, and collecting data on public perceptions on climate change in the Caribbean.

The Path Forward

To fully leverage survey data for the SDGs, several key steps are necessary.

  • Standardization efforts are crucial, involving the development of common survey methodologies and questions to allow for better comparison across countries and over time. Creating guidelines for adapting global SDG indicators to national and local contexts and establishing quality standards for survey data collection and analysis are also essential.
  • Capacity building is another critical area, requiring support for developing countries in designing and implementing high-quality surveys. This involves training and equipping local researchers and statisticians in advanced survey methodologies and strengthening national statistical offices to lead SDG monitoring efforts.
  • Data integration presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Combining survey data with other data sources can provide a more comprehensive understanding of SDG progress. This requires developing frameworks for integrating official statistics with citizen-generated and private-sector data and creating data ecosystems that allow for easy sharing and analysis of diverse data types.
  • Ethical considerations must be at the forefront of these efforts. Ensuring data privacy and protection, especially when dealing with sensitive information, addressing potential biases, and promoting transparency in data collection methods and limitations are all crucial aspects of responsible data use.
  • Promoting data use and impact is essential. Data is only as useful as its actual use. We mus encourage the use of survey data in policy-making and program design, developing user-friendly platforms for disseminating survey results to diverse stakeholders, and measuring and promoting the impact of data-driven decision-making on SDG progress.

As we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, survey data will continue to play a pivotal role. It provides the ground-level insights needed to understand real progress and challenges in sustainable development, giving voice to individuals and communities at the heart of the SDG agenda. By investing in innovative survey methods, ensuring representativeness, and integrating survey data with other sources, we can make more informed decisions and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

At GeoPoll, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of survey research and providing the data-driven insights needed to support global development efforts. Our mobile survey technology offers a powerful tool for rapid, representative data collection across diverse contexts. As we look towards 2030, we invite researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners to explore how survey data can enhance their work and contribute to creating a more sustainable and equitable world for all.

Contact GeoPoll to learn more about our work, capabilities and global coverage.

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The 2024 Peoples’ Climate Vote: The world’s largest survey on climate change. https://www.geopoll.com/blog/2024-peoples-climate/ Fri, 23 Aug 2024 16:06:50 +0000 https://www.geopoll.com/?p=22837 At GeoPoll, we are proud to have partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Browning Environmental Communications, and the University of […]

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At GeoPoll, we are proud to have partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Browning Environmental Communications, and the University of Oxford to conduct the 2024 Peoples’ Climate Vote – the world’s largest standalone public opinion survey on climate change. This year’s survey reached an unprecedented scale, covering 77 countries and representing 87 percent of the global population.

About the 2024 Peoples’ Climate Vote

Launched in 2021, the Peoples’ Climate Vote allows people to voice their concerns about climate change to world leaders. The 2024 edition is the largest to date, featuring 15 questions designed to capture the impact of climate change on daily lives, perceptions of its handling, and desired actions from leaders. This year’s survey expanded to regions previously unrepresented, making its findings even more significant.

people climate vote countries

Download the full report from the UNDP website or interact with the findings on the People’s Climate Vote website.

Methodology

Conducting a survey of this magnitude required an innovative approach. GeoPoll utilized Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) to reach diverse populations globally. The standardized CATI approach ensured consistency and accuracy, offering several advantages:

  • CATI Standardization: Using CATI exclusively allowed us to maintain high standards across all regions. Interviewers were trained to follow a consistent protocol, ensuring uniform data collection and comparable results across countries. This method enabled interviewers to clarify questions, probe for detailed responses, and address any misunderstandings in real-time. The GeoPoll CATI platform also has various automated and manual quality checks to ensure that all the data was accurately captured.
  • Sampling and Reach: Stratified sampling and quota management for representation across demographics and regions. Coupled with broad coverage of various demographic groups and data weighting, this ensured the survey accurately reflected each country’s population.
  • Language Diversity: To ensure inclusivity and accuracy, the survey was administered in 87 languages using accurately translated questionnaires and the GeoPoll Application’s multilingual features.
  • High-Volume Data Collection: The data collection process involved making 1.9 million calls, resulting in 73,765 completed interviews. Our platform had to be customized to handle this large volume of data within a short time efficiently, demonstrating our built-in platform’s flexibility to accommodate any volume of data requirements. We made 1.9 million calls, resulting in 73,765 completed interviews, demonstrating our platform’s flexibility.

The CATI methodology was integral to ensuring that the 2024 Peoples’ Climate Vote was able to gather in-depth, accurate data from respondents around the world and capture the sentiments of all demographics irrespective of internet connectivity, literacy levels, and other impediments.

Overcoming Challenges

Executing a survey of this magnitude presented several challenges that were addressed with innovative solutions:

  • Random Digit Dialing (RDD): To reach a wide and representative sample, we utilized RDD which involved using existing databases and layering additional randomization techniques to ensure broad coverage .
  • Quota Management: Ensuring demographic representation required meticulous quota management. We closely monitored quotas for various demographic groups, adjusting our sampling strategies in real-time to fill gaps and avoid over-representation. This approach was particularly important in countries with diverse and dispersed populations .
  • Handling Non-Response and Incomplete Data: We employed sophisticated weighting techniques to align the data with known population characteristics such as age, gender, and educational attainment to address non-response issues.
  • Response Rate Management: We achieved a 6.8 percent response rate, from over over 1.9 million calls using call-back scheduling and localized call center support. For hard-to-reach groups, we used a within-household selection from an RDD call, asking the person called to pass the phone to the required group at that household if present.
  • Translation Quality: Ensuring the accuracy and equivalence of survey questions across different languages and cultures was crucial. We implemented a double translation process with reconciliation, followed by multiple layers of review, to maintain the integrity and clarity of the questions across all 87 languages used in the survey.

The Bottom-line

The successful execution of the 2024 Peoples’ Climate Vote is a testament to GeoPoll’s expertise in large-scale survey administration. Our ability to innovate and adapt in challenging environments showcases our commitment to delivering accurate and meaningful data.

GeoPoll is immensely proud to have played a central and influential role in such a project that has set a benchmark for public opinion surveys on climate change. Capturing a comprehensive and accurate account of global attitudes towards climate change is a big step towards empowering world leaders and populations with important insights required to effectively address one of the most critical issues of our time. We believe the survey will be instrumental in raising awareness, driving informed policymaking, and ultimately contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and secure a better future for our planet.

For more detailed insights and full methodology, you can access the full report here.

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