COMMUNITY

SURVEY
 Introduction.
Survey :
• A method of gathering information from a sample
of individuals.
• A powerful, scientific tool for gathering accurate
and useful information.
• Gathering information, asking questions from
a sample of population. It may be;
– Verbal surveys are often known as interviews,
and;
– Written surveys are questionnaires
 Definitions of terms
• Survey : survey is defined as non-
experimental observations in population
or its sample.
• A survey (or observational study) is an
investigation in which information is
systematically collected, but the experimental
method is not used- that is no active
intervention by the investigators.
• In our field observation relate to health,
health related events or disease.
 Objectives of survey
1) planning and evaluating healthprogramme .

2) to gather accurate, reliable and

standardized information about
disease/heath problem.

3)to gather information about the effectivity

and efficiency of health programme .

4)to obtain new information about disease/

health problem.
 USES OF SURVEY
 To assess the magnitude of a specific
disease condition or health related events
in specified community or well-defined
geographical area.

 To guide planning of national, regional or local

health programs.

 To evaluate control activities or national

health programs.
 To study community perceptions and attitude
related to health and disease.

 To evaluate degree of utilisation of health care

facilities.

 To provide data for planning and evaluation of

community intervention and health educational
activity.

 To suggest and test hypotheses on health related

events and diseases condition.

 Surveys are useful for

research,training,planning and evaluation.
 Classification of Surveys
Three broad Classifications
• By size (social, community and school surveys )

It is about the segment of the society at which we

are focusing upon/ depending upon the nature of

the research and the focus of the conclusion

• By result type (quantitative or qualitative).

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 Types of Survey

Descriptive surveys are used to gather information

largely on what people do and think. Thus a researcher
might use this type of survey to find out what young people
think about drugs, what drugs they might use, and with
what frequency.

Analytic surveys are used to answer research

questions or to test hypotheses. A researcher might
collect data from the general population which detailed
information on health habits, e.g. Diet, exercise, smoking
and so on. This information might then be used to make
predictions concerning the state of health of the
population at some future date.
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 Types of Surveys
(Time and Population)

A. Cross-sectional surveys. Collect

information from the sample at the same point
time.

B. Longitudinal surveys. Information is collected

at different points in time in order to study
changes over time .

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 Types of survey
• Surveys are named according to its main
objective ( viz: nutritional survey, diet , social
survey etc..) but depending on methods
adopted, there are four basic types of survey.
• 1) Mass survey .
• 2) Sample survey .
• 3) Pilot survey .
• 4) At risk survey .
• Mass survey: When information is collected from
the entire population it is called as mass survey .

• Mass survey are not to be repeated very

frequently .

• Census conducted every ten years in our

country is an example of mass survey .
• Sample survey: when the information is obtained, not
from the entire population ,but from its sample ,it is
called sample survey .

• If proper sampling procedure is adopted and if the

sample size is adequate ,then sample surveys can give
reliable and quick estimates about population .

• Sample survey are cheaper and faster than mass survey .

• For example- annual surveys conducted for births and

deaths under sample registration scheme are sample
survey.
• Pilot survey: when survey is to be conducted
on large scale and when it involves
complicated design, questionnaire and
information ,a survey on smaller scale is
usually done prior to main survey , this is
called pilot survey .
• It is helpful for pre testing the questionnaire,
training the people and assessing the feasibility
of certain procedures to be conducted in the
main survey .
• At risk survey: when the information is
collected from individuals/or population that
are at a higher risk of the problem at hand
than the general population the survey is
called at risk survey .
• Such survey need the knowledge about who
is “at risk” .
• These surveys give more information about
the section of the population “at risk” for
the given problem .
 Health survey
• "health surveys" is used for surveys relating to
any aspect of health - morbidity, mortality,
nutritional status, etc.
• When the main variable to be studied is disease
suffered by the people, the survey is referred to as
"morbidity survey".
• Health surveys may be cross sectional or
longitudinal; descriptive or analytic or both
 Health survey
Studying a population or a
particular segment of population in
order to asses its health problems or
to detect condition to which
Surveys in preventive measures may be
applied.
the health
sector
Morbidity survey
It is a specific survey dealing with only one element in
the full range of possible components of a health survey

Utilization survey
It demonstrate how many people are utilising
services provided by specific facilities.
 Health survey methods
• Broadly, the following types of surveys would be
covered under health survey
a) surveys for evaluating the health status of a
population, that is community diagnosis of
problems of health and disease.
It is information about the distribution of these
problems over time and space that provides the
fundamental basis for planning and developing
needed services .
• B) surveys for investigation of factors affecting
health and disease, e.g, environment,
occupation, income, circumstances associated
with the onset of illness, etc.
• C) surveys relating to administration of
health services, e.g., use of health services,
expenditure on health, evaluation of
population health needs and unmet needs.
evaluation of medical care, etc.
 Methods of health survey
• The method employed for data collection, health
surveys can be broadly classified into 4 types
• a. Health interview (face-to-face) survey .
• b. Health examination survey .
• c. Health records survey .
• d. Mailed questionnaire survey .
• The health interview (face-to-face) survey is an
invaluable method of measuring subjective
phenomena such as perceived morbidity,
disability and impairment; economic loss due
to illness, expenditure incurred on medical
care;Opinions, beliefs and attitudes; and some
behavioural characteristics.
It has also the advantage of giving population
based data.
• Health examination surveys generally provide
more valid information than health interview
surveys.
• The survey is carried out by teams consisting
of doctors, technicians and interviewers.
• The main disadvantage of a health examination is
that it is expensive and cannot be carried out on
an extensive scale.
• The method also requires consideration of
providing treatment to people found suffering
from certain diseases .
Health records survey involves collection
of data from health service records.
This is obviously the cheapest method of
collecting data.
This method has several disadvantages :
a) the estimates obtained from the records
are not population-based .
b) lack of uniform procedures and
standardization in the recording of data.
• Mailed questionnaire survey . An
alternative method of measuring subjective
phenomena is the self-administered Questionnaire,
i.e., a questionnaire without an interviewer.
• The use of questionnaires is simpler and
cheaper, and they may be sent,
• For example- by mail to persons sampled from
a given target population .
 Pre requisites for survey
1) Resources
2)Co-operation from population
3)Training of the personnel .
4)Pre-testing
5) Mock –survey
6) Administrative planning .
1. RESOURCES: resources include personnel,
finances and materials (man/money/ materials) .
Before undertaking the survey adequacy of
resources must be ensured .
2. Co-operation from the population:
Survey involve obtaining variety of information
from variety of persons . So necessary to obtain
their co-operation .
This can be ensured only if the respondents
understand the objectives and utility of survey
Involvement of influential persons in a
community ( viz- elected representatives, social
worker, lions/rotary club etc..) would facilitate
the efforts in obtaining co-operation .
3.Training of the personnel: surveys have very
specific objectives and the information to be
collected may be of a specialized nature .
Training of the persons for all aspects is required and
contents of training are :
A) explanation of the objectives of the survey .
B)explanation of the questionnaire/interview
schedule
C)training in the use of new equipment.
D)detailed programme of the survey .
E)participation in mock survey/pilot survey.
4) Pre-testing : to test the questionnaire on small
number of individuals before the survey. This is
called pre- testing .
• Pre-testing is also used for training the personnel.
5) Mock survey: this is the trail of the survey on
small scale .
• It give an opportunity for prior use of
questionnaire, equipments, and investigations
6) Administrative planning : it includes recruitment
of personnel, procurement of equipments , printing
the questionnaire, making the transport
arrangement, fixing the time schedule, etc ..
 Types of information available from
survey
1) Demographic :
• Information about size ,composition and
distribution of the population can be obtained
through survey
• This
• provides denominator for calculation of
various rates ,ratios and proportions
2) Vital events : -
The data about vital events (births, deaths,
marriage & divorce ) is available through surveys,
which is likely to be more accurate ,reliable &
standardized .
2) Vital events : -
The data about vital events (births, deaths,
marriage & divorce ) is available through surveys,
which is likely to be more accurate ,reliable &
standardized .
3) Morbidity :-
Information about the specific aspects of
morbidity like incidence , duration & severity can be
obtained from survey .
4) Related factors :-
information about factors related to the
problems viz. nutritional status ,educational
status , occupation,economic, environmental
conditions etc can be obtained from survey.
Stages of an Investigation/steps in
survey
1. Preliminary stage
a. clarifying the purpose
b. previewing the literature
c. ethical consideration
d. formulating the topic.
2. Planning
3. Preparation for data collection
4. Collection of data.
5. Processing of data.
6. Interpreting the result
7. Reporting the finding
 First Steps

• clarifying the purpose

• use of the literature.
• ethical considerations.
• formulating the topic.
clarifying the purpose
• clarify whether the study is pure or applied.
• is the purpose of obtaining information will
form the basis for utilization of resources.
• is it to identify persons at special risks of a
specific disease.
• is it to add knowledge on specific aspect of
aetiology.
• is it to stimulate public interest, for welfare of
population, , for application of health
programme?

• reason of study should be clear to investigator.

• it is necessary to describe the purpose in some

detail to justify the proposed study.

• review previous work on subject, present state of

knowledge, significance of proposed study that is
case for action.

• honest self examination is desirable to clarify

the purpose and bias.
 Use of Literature
• published experiences are useful for indicating the
presence and nature of research problem.
• useful for planning and interpretations of findings.
• investigator should be acquainted with important
study Literature before study .
• references should be filed in organized way manually
or computer data base.
• it is of limited use to wait until reports of study are
written.
• long list of references without proper use is
unnecessary.
• assess the accuracy of findings . judge if inferences
are valid decide whether the study has relevance to
your needs.
 Ethical considerations
• Before planning the study satisfy yourself that it is
ethical to do the study and can be done in ethical
way.
• is it ethical to permit the study at the expense of
activities directly promoting community health.
• scientifically unsound studies are unethical.
 Formulating the topic

• Done after the purpose and moral justification of

study are clear.

• it can be done in general terms and many times it is

simple to formulate.

• at early stage formulation of topic is regarded as

provisional as difficulties may arise in future.
2.PLANNING STAGE
1. State the objectives of the survey
 We have to define specifically the
problem we intend to solve.
 If we cannot state the objectives of
the survey we are unlikely to generate
useable results.
 We have to be able to formulate something
quite detailed, perhaps organized around a clear
statement of a testable hypothesis.
 Clarifying the aims of the survey is critical
to its ultimate success.

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 2. Define the study population
• The study population is group that studied,
either in toto or by selecting a sample
consisting of individual members of the group
for investigation.
• If sample is chosen, the study population from
which it is selected may be also be called the
sampled population or the parent population.
• Appropriateness& practicability should be
taken into account durning selecting the study
population .
• If a study population is believed to be typical of
a broader population to which the findings may
be generalized, the latter population may be
termed the reference population or external
population.
3. Method of collecting and processing
data
 METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION

Data collection Supplementary

instruments: diagnostic instruments
1. Observation :
2.Questionnaires and such as hemoglobinometer,
schedules infantometer, microscope, ECG
3. Interview and X-ray machines, etc.

 In our discussion we will mainly focus on data

collection instruments.
 Types of Observation

• Participant vs Non-participant observation

• Structured vs. Unstructured observation
Non Participant Observation:
• Someone who attempts to observe people without
interacting with them .
• Without their knowledge that they are being
observed .
Participant Observation:
• Observer participates actively, for an extended
period of time
• May require observer to live or work in that
area .
• Assumes that observer will become accepted
member of the group or community .
• Historically field research has been associated most
strongly with participant observation.
• Unstructured Observation :
• Early phase of the research .
• How to do unstructured observation
• Take a notebook and pen
• Note down when you see something interesting.
• Write down theories as you form them.
• Don’t jump to conclusions straight away.
• Look for more evidence.
• Structured Observation :
• Greater control of sampling .
• Measurement of error .
• This is more like a survey, where every
respondent is asked the same set of questions.
But in this case, questions are not asked.
Instead, particular types of behavior are looked
for and counted.
Advantages:
 Do not depend on recall of memory
 A good deal of information we can gather.
Disadvantages:

 Cultural barrier
 An individual’s belief and perception
cannot be adequately represented.
 May consume a lot of time.
 Not everything is amenable to
observation. e.g.,sexual behaviour
cannot be observed.
 INTERVIEWS :
• This is a very popular method of data collection.

• This involves juxtaposition of the interviewer and

the interviewee.

• If the interviewee doesn’t understand a question , it can

be explained to him and if more details are desired ,
additional queries can be posed.

• INTERVIEWING IS AN ART.“ WHAT TO BE ASKED

AND HOW TO PROCEED” are crucial to the success of
this method.
 Types of Interview:
There are two types of interviewing formats :
• (a) Structured interview :
The format and order of investigation is set
out right at the beginning.

• (b) Unstructured : This consists of only an open

ended questionnaire with everything else left to
the discretion of the interviewer, e.g. a journalist’s
interview.
Advantages of interviews :
• It has flexibility which is not offered by
questionnaire.
• Better coverage is obtained.
• Validitiy of the collected information can be
tested.
• Interviewer can motivate the poorly
motivated responders .
 QUESTIONNAIRES
• An effective questionnaire will follow these
rules:
– As brief as possible.

– Focus on information, not otherwise accessible

to the investigator.

– Aimed at obtaining factual data, rather than

opinions, impressions, or estimates.

– The wording of every item ought to be

understandable and familiar .
– For the same reason, the items should be
arranged in a neat and logical order.

– The questionnaire should be conveniently

planned and set up to take a minimum of the
respondent’s time.

– Clear instructions must be included as to the way

the answers are to be indicated.
• Advantages of questionnaire :
• A) it is less expensive than interview .
• B) it can be ensure uniformity especially for
impersonal data( age, sex, etc..) .
• C) information can be given at leisure without
pressure of time on respondent .
 Kind of Question Structure.
Which kind of question structure to use?
• Open-ended.
• Close-ended with ordered choices.
• Close-ended with out unordered choices .
• For example
• Questions may be open-ended ("Why do you feel that
way?") or closed ("Do you approve or disapprove?").
Investigations/Measurements
• Some investigations may be done to obtain
information about specific aspects .
• For example-
a) weighing food cooked daily in a diet
survey
b)anthropometric measurements in nutritional
survey .
 Compilation & Data Analysis in
Survey
• Compilation is the systematic arrangement and
presentation of the data .for this data is
arranged in various groups viz - chronological
groups, groups as per specific characteristics
like age, sex, occupation, etc…
• The compilation and analysis must be relevant
to the predecided objectives .
• Dummy tables are prepared for this before
the compilation is made and data is
compiled accordingly. .
 Compilation & Data Analysis in
Survey

• Analysis work after tabulation is generally based

on the computation of various percentages,
coefficients, etc., by applying various well
defined statistical formulae.
• In brief, the researcher can analyse the
collected data with the help of various
statistical measures.
 . Data analysis
• Clean the questionnaires.
• Code the questionnaires.
– Close-ended questions.
– Open-ended questions.
– Partially close-ended questions.
– Missing data.
• Decide which statistics are most useful to you.
• Interpretation. Look for results that matter.
 Results/ Reporting of survey
• The report may also be presented with
the help of tables and graphs .
• This consists of informing the
appropriate authorities,the observation
made in the survey . This contain
objectives, materials and methods used,
and observation in the survey.
• A good report also indicates the extent to
which the objectives of survey are
fulfilled .
THANK YOU