With the sickle cell anemia diagnostics team, we categorized our 20 questions into five categories.
- Networking/Collaboration:
- Who do we partner with?
- What different types of partnerships do we need?
- How do we keep these partnerships going?
- How do we communicate as a team, and with such partners?
- How can we gain general mutual partnerships from other entities?
- How can we leverage our partnerships to extend elsewhere?
- How do we expand our community?
- What type of partnership is most essential?
- How can we increase the dynamics between our team to promote advancement?
- Cultural:
- How do we engage with the community, locally and in target areas?
- How do we make sure the science of our project does not interfere with social and cultural practice?
- How do we get the community to trust us?
- Production:
- Who will manufacture our strip on a large scale?
- Does the manufacturing process align with our values?
- What partnerships do we need for marketing?
- Funding:
- How do we get funding?
- How do we gain sponsorships?
- Promoting:
- How do we communicate with the target audience sufficiently?
- How can we stand out from other similar projects?
- How do we explain the significance of SS and the need for screening?
Additionally, we created the Theory of Change (Logic Model) along with some short and long-term metrics (M&E plan).
- Short Term Metrics (Summer 2021):
-
- Measure the number of test strips made this summer (make at least 40)
- Cost-effectiveness of production (find manufacturer), quantify reduced price to produce given more efficient manufacturing
- This summer, increase storage life capabilities extended to at least 1 month
- Test at least 40 people in SL using our device; spread awareness of the illness this summer
- Long Term Metrics:
-
- Measure the number of test strips that we distribute
- Measure the difference in test strips that are used vs those supplied to gauge demand
- Measure the change in the number of individuals who are referred to for treatment/symptom management care following diagnosis with a test strip
- Reduce child mortality in Sierra Leone (& other heavily affected countries) as a result of device implementation + screening (and subsequent treatment)