Presented at CRC course KFMC on December 19, 2022. By Professor Omar Hasan Kasule Sr. MB ChB (MUK), MPH (Harvard), DrPH (Harvard) Professor of Epidemiology and Bioethics
INTRODUCTION:
DEFINITION OF
HEALTH SURVEYS:
- Surveys involve more subjects than the usual epidemiological sample.
- Surveys are used for the measurement of health and disease, assessment of needs, and assessment of service utilization and care.
- They may be population or sample surveys.
- Surveys may be cross-sectional or longitudinal.
PLANNING
SURVEYS - 1: Preliminaries
- Literature survey,
- Stating objectives,
- Identifying and prioritizing the problem,
- Formulating a hypothesis.
PLANNING
SURVEYS - 2: Sampling
- Defining the population,
- Defining the sampling frame,
- Determining sample size and sampling method,
- The household is the usual sampling unit.
- Sampling may be simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, or multistage sampling.
PLANNING
SURVEYS - 3: Logistics
- Training study personnel,
- Considering logistics (approvals, manpower, materials and equipment, finance, transport, communication, and accommodation).
PLANNING
SURVEYS - 4: Data Collection
- Preparing and pre-testing the study questionnaire.
- Use existing data.
- Collect new data using a questionnaire (postal, telephone, diaries, and interview), physical examinations, direct observation, and laboratory investigations.
- The structure and contents of the survey report are determined by potential readers.
- The report is used to communicate information and also apply for funding.