The use of epidemiological tools in conflict-affected populations: open-access educational resources for policy-makers

Table of Contents

1. Welcome
2. Introduction: Epidemiology in crises
3. Ethical issues in data collection
4. Need for epidemiologic competence
5. Surveys - Introduction
6. Surveys - Description of sampling methods
7. Surveys - Sampling error, bias, accuracy, precision, & sample size
8. Surveys - Resources required for surveys
9. Surveys - Critiquing survey reports
10. Surveillance - When to do surveillance
11. Surveillance - Methods
12. Surveillance - Common problems
13. Programme data
14. Rapid assessment
    1. Definition and goals
    2. Methods
    3. Questions answered by rapid assessment
    4. Guidelines and manuals
    5. Problems and difficulties
15. Mortality - Indicators and their measurement
16. Mortality - Data sources
17. Mortality - Interpretation and action
18. Nutrition - Introduction and background
19. Nutrition - Indicators and their measurement
20. Nutrition - Data sources
21. Nutrition - Interpretation and action
22. Health services
23. Vaccination programmes
24. Water supply, sanitation, and shelter
25. Violence
26. Presentation of results
27. Formulating conclusions and recommendations
28. Dissemination and action

Problems and difficulties

(go to Outline)

Rapid assessment results are often qualitative and somewhat subjective. This makes it difficult to critically evaluate their validity and usefulness. In general, rapid assessments should be carried out by personnel experienced in humanitarian emergencies. Moreover, triangulation of data gathered will help assess the validity of the data and the certainly of the conclusions.

Regardless of the method employed, rapid assessments should be used to determine the immediate priorities. They should also include a set of recommendations for immediate action.

Some common problems with rapid assessment include:

• Lack of coordination among organizations
• Performed too late
• Data not representative or misinterpreted
• Lack of security preventing thorough assessment
• Findings are ignored
• Historical data are forgotten