Background In resource-constrained settings, quality and timeliness of data are the main concerns related to the use of information systems for decision making. Many different tools are available to improve such systems, but their usefulness is only been recently explored. In this paper, we describe our implementation of an electronic platform, open data kit (ODK) for data collection and its feasibility in data management for a population-based household health expenditure survey. Methods We evaluated the use of ODK based data collection in households located in two areas (one urban and one rural) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. From each area, we selected a sample of 60 households for piloting the ODK based questionnaires. The household survey questionnaires were programmed using the Microsoft Excel for data collection in the ODK collect android application. The ODK aggregate was used for data storage and data transfer. A team of six field workers was recruited, and trained to use the ODK collect application for survey data collection. After the training, the field workers pilot tested the questionnaires, both in the form of mock surveys and real on-field testing. Results Under mock-interviews, there were no significant differences in time –to completion between the six field workers. A total of 60 households participated in field testing that showed field workers were able to complete the questionnaires in a timely manner, (mean 32 minutes (SD=18)) with minimal errors, and all field workers found the ODK form easy to use. There were no major technical issues in the ODK implementation or with electronic devices. Conclusions Results from both mock interviews and on-field testing of our data collection platform show the feasibility of using this approach in resource-constrained settings. The approach used to implement, integrate, and test this platform can benefit other health researchers in developing settings intending to move from paper-based methods toward electronic data collection systems.

Household expenditure data is at the core of efforts to measure living standards, inequality and financial protection against illness. Currently it is mainly derived from recall-based surveys that are time consuming and prone to measurement errors. Diaries are often used as an alternative approach, however this results in fatigue and low compliance. Smartphone- based diaries could overcome many of these challenges, but it is yet unknown how this approach could be used and its relationship with data from the household surveys. This study evaluated a smartphone-based diary application for collecting daily household expenditures and compared data with that of household surveys. Results show that smartphone-based diary applications could be used to optimize or complement the information from conventional survey-based indicators.

Air contributes a prime role in recycling earth's most essential substances like carbon, since carbon sources encompass fossil fuel combustion and decayed matter of dead animals. Due to urbanization, population has been increased in cities inevitably which cause dreadful air pollution and pose a profound menace to public health and the environment. Outdoor air pollution has become panic in India, because Indian cities are some of the highest polluted cities in the world. Particulate pollution has significant worsen effects on human health. Diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergies and insomnia are caused or triggered by rising levels of air pollution. Sometimes the poor air quality leads to long-term health effects. Air purifiers occupy as prime factor to clean the air. It promotes our health against allergies, obnoxious odor and snoring. This review article discuss the causes of air pollution, need for air purifier and mechanism of working of air purifier.