Health researchers in Cameroon, led by Dr. Mbah Patrick Okwen (health consultant to the Netherlands Development Organization) have been using EpiSurveyor for the last few years to collect critical data concerning a variety of topics including child nutritional status monitoring, community mutual health organizations, investigating governance at hospitals, and watershed and grazing pastures mapping to reduce water contamination and conflict.  Without the need for any international consultants!

I had missed this article by medical writer David Brown from last January 12th's Washington Post, discussing the rise of the mobile phone, and its impact on phone-based polling for epidemiology and other research. Fascinating, especially in looking at the demographic differences that mark those who are in "cellphone only" households (more likely to be young, male, and Hispanic). Worth reading, especially as we approach the point of practicality for phone-based polling in developing countries: