An Integrated Sensor Data Logging, Survey, and Analytics Platform for Field Research and Its Application in HAPIN, a Multi-Center Household Energy Intervention Trial

Abstract

Researchers rely on sensor-derived data to gain insights on numerous human behaviors and environmental characteristics. While commercially available data-logging sensors can be deployed for a range of measurements, there have been limited resources for integrated hardware, software, and analysis platforms targeting field researcher use cases. In this paper, we describe Geocene, an integrated sensor data logging, survey, and analytics platform for field research. We provide an example of Geocene's ongoing use in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN). HAPIN is a large, multi-center, randomized controlled trial evaluating the impacts of a clean cooking fuel and stove intervention in Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda. The platform includes Bluetooth-enabled, data-logging temperature sensors; a mobile application to survey participants, provision sensors, download sensor data, and tag sensor missions with metadata; and a cloud-based application for data warehousing, visualization, and analysis. Our experience deploying the Geocene platform within HAPIN suggests that the platform may have broad applicability to facilitate sensor-based monitoring and evaluation efforts and projects. This data platform can unmask heterogeneity in study participant behavior by using sensors that capture both compliance with and utilization of the Sustainability 2020, 12, 1805 2 of 15 intervention. Platforms like this could help researchers measure adoption of technology, collect more robust intervention and covariate data, and improve study design and impact assessments.

Developing Visual Messages to Support Liquefied Petroleum Gas Use in Intervention Homes in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) Trial in Rural Guatemala

“…At subsequent visits, themes are reinforced and cylinder refills are marked on the calendar. If our field team detects biomass stove use in intervention homes (e.g., traditional stoves lit or smoldering at home visits, temperature sensors on traditional stoves showing evidence of use; Wilson et al, 2020), a behavioral interventionist visits the households to reinforce exclusive LPG use, using pertinent messages in the flip chart to guide discussion with family members.…”

Pay-as-you-go liquefied petroleum gas supports sustainable clean cooking in Kenyan informal urban settlement during COVID-19 lockdown

“…Given the extra asset costs associated with a PAYG model, monitoring of multiple years of cooking patterns under such model is needed to understand its ability to sustain use of LPG over time. Previous studies containing objective stove use measurements have typically utilized temperature sensors [35] , [36] , with the temperature data being dichotomized into ‘stove use’ or ‘non-use’ using advanced algorithms [37] , including machine learning [38] . PAYG LPG smart meter technology has the advantage of real-time recording of the quantity (kilograms) of LPG consumed and length of time the smart meter was in use.…”

Effectiveness of Gas and Chimney Biomass Stoves for Reducing Household Air Pollution Pregnancy Exposure in Guatemala: Sociodemographic Effect Modifiers

“…Measuring personal exposure is costly for researchers and is cumbersome for study participants, especially pregnant women [27]. Quantitative data on exclusive LPG stove use requires intensive monitoring of stoves, either with temperature sensors or frequent in-home assessments [28]. Because of this, we explored whether asking a simple question about LPG stove ownership, something that is easy to collect, is associated with substantial exposure reductions in a setting where the concurrent use of multiple stoves is common.…”