A multiple methods approach in user-centered design for designing and evaluating a prototype of a trilingual data collection tool to submit information about incidents of violence against sex workers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Sex workers face an epidemic of violence around the world. However, violence against sex workers (VASW) is underreported, and sex workers hesitate to report to police because they are frequently punished; therefore an alternative for reporting is needed. Sex workers also face stigmatization from health care workers, further discouraging help-seeking behavior. OBJECTIVE Apply human-centered design methods to adapt ReportVASW for use in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and to evaluate the usability of the prototype interface for and identify opportunities for improvement. METHODS Evaluation methods included cognitive walkthrough, System Usability Scale (SUS), and heuristic evaluation. RESULTS This study explores ways to improve the trilingual prototype of ReportVASW, with particular attention to ways to improve the data collection tool. End users were enthusiastic about the idea of a mobile tool to document VASW, provided it led to change. Multiple methods identified multiple issues to address. CONCLUSIONS Many opportunities to improve the interface were identified. Most changes are not overly complex and the majority involve adapting the language used and improving the translation. Development of the trilingual ReportVASW data collection tool for the MENA region is worth pursuing.