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The use of epidemiological tools in conflict-affected populations: open-access educational resources for policy-makers
Table of Contents
Welcome
Introduction: Epidemiology in crises
Ethical issues in data collection
Need for epidemiologic competence
Surveys - Introduction
What is a survey?
Types of outcomes and indicators measured in a survey
Reasons to do a survey
Questions to ask before beginning or commissioning a survey
Alternatives to conducting new surveys
Limitations of surveys
Valid questions to answer
Formulation of goals and objectives
Surveys - Description of sampling methods
Surveys - Sampling error, bias, accuracy, precision, & sample size
Surveys - Resources required for surveys
Surveys - Critiquing survey reports
Surveillance - When to do surveillance
Surveillance - Methods
Surveillance - Common problems
Programme data
Rapid assessment
Mortality - Indicators and their measurement
Mortality - Data sources
Mortality - Interpretation and action
Nutrition - Introduction and background
Nutrition - Indicators and their measurement
Nutrition - Data sources
Nutrition - Interpretation and action
Health services
Vaccination programmes
Water supply, sanitation, and shelter
Violence
Presentation of results
Formulating conclusions and recommendations
Dissemination and action
Valid questions to answer
1
Which of these questions do you think are program questions which could be addressed by a survey?
a)
What proportion of children targeted for iron supplementation are really receiving iron?
b)
Does anaemia lead to lower intellectual functioning in school-age children?
c)
Has a vitamin A fortification program raised the average serum vitamin A level in targeted women of child-bearing age?
d)
What is the average head circumference in babies?
Please select an answer
Yes, this is measuring the program coverage of an iron supplementation program
No, this is a question of causality, that is, does anaemia cause lower intellectual functioning. This is certainly an important and interesting question, but its answer requires a different type of data collection.
Maybe, but this is a really question of causality, that is, has a fortification program raised serum vitamin A levels. We know that this is not something surveys do well. On the other hand, if there is no other logical explanation for the rise, perhaps the fortification program is responsible. Program impact evaluation often uses baseline and follow-up surveys to measure changes presumably due to the program.
No, this question is of little program significance. It is hard to imagine what program implementation or revision would be based on the answer to this question. You should avoid carrying out surveys to answer questions which are only of interest but without practical use.
