Mobile technologies for acquiring exposure-related environmental, human behavior, and health status data during daily life

Purpose: To develop a mobile, field platform for collecting personal exposure factor data comprising activity, location, environmental, exertion, diet, and product use monitoring. Study Question: Does methodology affect collection accuracy, compliance, or burden? Methods: Our system integrates multiple collection streams and survey modes on a Windows Mobile platform. Self-report diaries and questionnaires are joined with wireless devices for monitoring physical and physiological data. Three modes were studied: menus, voice questionnaires, and passive periodic photos. Passive exertion assessment, GPS tracking, microenvironment identification, and wireless product use markers were investigated to reduce burden. Burden, compliance, data quality, and data collection costs were examined in a 40-home evaluation. Results: Menu measurements and subject questionnaires were used to assess burden. Participants averaged 16/12 seconds per activity/location entry. Perceived burden were 60 seconds for paper and voice, and 45 seconds for menus. For cleaning/pesticide menus, participants averaged 52/150 seconds per product use. Perceived burden for cleaning/pesticide data was 60/120 seconds for paper and 60/60 seconds for menu entries. For diet, participants averaged 64 seconds per entry. To assess compliance, we computed the median number of activities/hour and locations/hour. For activity, these were 1.6/hr (paper), 1.3/hr (menu), 1.2/hr (voice), and 2.8/hr (photo). For location, these were 1.1/hr (paper), 0.9/hr (menu), 0.7/hr (voice), and 7.2/hr (photo). Conclusions: Menu-based activity and location entry burden was low. Participants liked the voice diary, although technical issues affected recording quality. While most liked the photo diary, some expressed privacy concerns. Automated room beacons, heart rate, and GPS monitoring worked well.