Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Botswana's 2022 Population and Housing Census: Addressing Data Quality Concerns
Explore the challenges faced by Botswana's National Census Coordinator in conducting the 2022 Population and Housing Census amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues such as changes in census dates, review of instruments, cartographic exercises, procurement, training, enumeration, and data processing were discussed, along with mitigation strategies and conclusions drawn from the experience.
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UN EXPERT GROUP MEETING IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE 2020 RPHC ADDRESSING DATA QUALITY CONCERNS Presented by Phetogo Zambezi National Census Coordinator STATISTICS BOTSWANA 13thDecember 2022
Outline A. Background B. Botswana 2022 PHC C. Issues/Challenges C.1 Change of Census Date C.2 Review of Instruments C.3 Cartographic Exercise C.4 Procurement C.5 Training C.6 Enumeration C.7 Data Processing D. Challenges and Mitigation strategies E. Conclusion
A. Background SB is a parastatal organization which transformed into autonomy in 2012 Statistics Act of 2009, repealing 1967 Statistics, under which Central Statistics Office was formed. Statistics act (Cap 17:01) Census Act (Cap 17:02) Wholly funded by government Governed by the Board of Directors
B. Background Cont. -Censuses and populations Interval (yrs) Enumerated Population % Population Change SRNO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Census Year 1904 1911 1921 1936 1946 1956 1964 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2022 0 7 120,776 124,350 152,983 265,756 296,310 309,175 549,510 596,994 941,027 1,326,796 1,680,863 2,024,904 2,359,609 0 3 10 15 10 10 23 73.7 11.5 4.3 77.7 8.6 57.6 41 26.7 20.5 16.5 8 7 10 10 10 10 11
B. Botswana PHC: Census reference month of August (spring) because; Off season for most arable agricultural activities The weather is most suitable, not cold and not hot No rains and/floods to disturb enumeration processes School calendar is favourable, mostly schools closed and allow use of government schools and institutions as training facilities At times teachers used as trainers, supervisors and enumerators Overall cost reduced
C.1 Change of Census Date: Quality Dimensions(s); Timeliness and punctuality, comparability, credibility The first census to use technology; CAPI and smart census for mapping exercise Pilot census postponed from August 2020 to August 2021 to October 2021; the main census to August 2022 Census date changed from August 2022 to March 2022 Constitutional obligation to set up the Delimitation Commission at intervals of 10 years, due in June 2022 The change affected the following: Review of instruments; Cartography updates Procurement activities (equipment, material, training venues, transport) Cost of the project Census conducted from 18th March 2022, with extension and further mop ups in April 2022
C.2 Review of instruments: Quality Dimension(s); credibility, accuracy Following the pilot exercise the process was to review questionnaires, manuals and CAPI system. Limited time to review the CAPI system but the system enabled necessary configurations during training and enumeration Review of questionnaires and manuals done on time to allow printing in readiness for training of supervisors and enumerators. Completeness of enumeration augmented by extensions and mop ups
C.3 Cartographic Exercise: Quality Dimension(s)-accuracy, credibility First time to use technology for mapping exercise smart census app Project started in October 2018 as a pilot to test the Smart Census app. Fully implementation in March 2019 and concluded in April 2021 while COVID 19 was at its pick The system allowed monitoring of progress while in the office
C.4 Procurement Processes and Budget: Quality Dimension(s)-prerequisite to quality, credibility Budget increase to allow for strategies employed due to limited time Change in Procurement procedures (from public tender to selective or direct tender) for some equipment and materials to ensure quick delivery (PPE, transport, private training facilities, merchandise,). Contingency measures for provision of IT equipment particularly tablets i.e. bought off the shelve in readiness for training Intensive Publicity activities for wider outreach
C.5 Training: Quality Dimension(s) timeliness and punctuality, accuracy Use of private training facilities, government schools and institutions not available Training face to face, use of manuals and questionnaires, hardcopies CAPI system configuration needed more IT staff, engaged district staff In some training venues, internet connectivity was Augment by either increase bandwidth or use of routers/modems and simcards Use of Assessment app for testing participants Use of COVID 19 monitoring app during training
C.6 Enumeration: Quality Dimension(s) timeliness and punctuality, accuracy , Enumeration from 18th -31st March 2022, with extension and further mop ups in April 2022 to improve coverage CAPI system with inbuilt consistency checks to reduce content errors Use of enumerators, supervisors and technical officers panels to monitor progress, check for completeness and correctness of entries to ensure quality Augment internet connectivity in some areas by use of routers/modems and simcards Dashboard developed to monitor progress at headquarters interactive maps used to link smart census and CAPI system to ensure complete coverage of enumeration Areas The use of Monitoring Device Management (MDM)app
C.7 Data Processing and Analysis Activities: Quality Dimension(s) timeliness and punctuality, accuracy, interpretability Preliminary results released within 2 weeks after completion of enumeration Provision of statistical and spatial information to Delimitation Commission Committee done in June 2022 Coding of key open ended questions (occupation, industry and subject of training) done in house; Edit program developed to check data inconsistencies Tabulation program developed
C.7 Data Processing and Analysis Activities Cont.: Quality Dimension(s) timeliness, accuracy Expected Deliverables Population of Cities, Towns, Villages and Associated Localities Report National Statistical Tables 2022 PHC Analytical and Dissemination Reports. District Monographs Population Atlas
D Challenges and Mitigation Strategies General Procurement Observations Lengthy procurement processes (public tendering) Challenges Delay in procuring items such as gadgets and accessories, merchandise, PPE, etc. Mitigation Opt for quicker methods; selective or direct tendering to speed up delivery although prone to high prices; compromise quality Training Limited suitable training facilities in districts headquarters Training not aligned to school and tertiary institutions calendar holidays Use of private centres (hotels, lodges, community halls, etc.) as training facilities despite high cost
D Challenges and Mitigation Strategies Cont. Observations Training Training of supervisors and enumerators Challenges Mitigation Delays in delivery of gadgets, manuals and questionnaires Purchase of gadgets off shelf as contingency; Manuals and questionnaires printed from office, some loaded in participants devices. Internet connectivity challenges Weak internet connectivity in some training venues Augment internet connectivity by either increasing bandwidth or use of routers/modems and simcards
D Challenges and Mitigation Strategies Cont. Observations Challenges Transport Inadequate Government vehicles for enumeration in some districts Enumeration Some CAPI system glitches were experienced Mitigation Officers sharing vehicles Engagement of private vehicles to augment available transport Restrained the flow of enumeration and delayed progress Some of the consistency checks relaxed to allow for smooth flow of enumeration
D Challenges and Mitigation Strategies Cont. Enumeration Cont. Observations Challenges Some tablets froze while some had short battery life span; unable to last the whole day for interviews. Mitigation Replaced freezing tablets with spare one of better type or those purchase from off the shelve in stores. Use of power banks to charge while in the field Slow progress of enumeration
D Challenges and Mitigation Strategies Cont. Observations Challenges Enumeration CAPI system role panels taking time to load through supervisors and technical officers panels problematic Mitigation monitoring of progress during enumeration manual checks applied including coverage maps in the enumerator's panel; Coding of key open ended questions done in house; Missing names for some localities Affected the production of the first publication used by districts during the Delimitation commission operations use of coordinates plotted in the map work with district personnel; physical visits
D Conclusion The 2022 Botswana PHC was the first digital census of its kind impacted by COVID 19 pandemic To be conducted in March during rainy season Lessons learned to prepare for the next round of censuses Data quality guaranteed through controls put in place
