Natview Foundation for Technology Innovation (NFTI) has commenced the expansion of the Longitudinal Study (LS) 2.0 to Jema’a Local Government Area with a four-day training and onboarding exercise held at the Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kafanchan Campus.
The engagement was designed to strengthen the capacity of selected students and participants on data management processes, longitudinal assessment activities, field data collection, geofencing, polygonization, and the use of digital tools for health data collection and reporting. The exercise also aimed to onboard qualified participants into the NFTI Data Management Community of Practice (CoP) while preparing them for field-based longitudinal assessment activities within Jema’a LGA.
The four-day activity followed an approved implementation agenda and featured a combination of technical sessions, practical exercises, simulations, field testing, and polygonization exercises to strengthen participants’ operational readiness for deployment.
As part of the training, participants were introduced to foundational concepts in data collection and management, with emphasis on the role of quality data in strengthening health systems and supporting evidence-based decision-making. Sessions also focused on data quality standards, confidentiality principles, governance processes, and adherence to longitudinal assessment protocols and guidelines.
Practical sessions were conducted on the use of Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect for digital data capture. Participants received hands-on training on digital form administration, submission processes, and the application of baseline and bi-weekly assessment tools through guided simulations and field-testing exercises.
The training further included sessions on facility geofencing and polygonization activities, equipping participants with the technical understanding required to support accurate mapping and location-based data collection during field implementation.
Through the expansion to Jema’a LGA, NFTI continues to strengthen its Data Management Community of Practice by engaging and equipping students with practical data management skills while supporting the implementation of Longitudinal Study 2.0 across Kaduna State.
The exercise marks another step in NFTI’s commitment to building local technical capacity and strengthening structured, facility-level data systems that contribute to improved planning, monitoring, and health system performance.
