Using mini-surveys to evaluate community health programmes

A community-based integrated health, family planning and social services programme in rural Egypt included, among other things, the distribution of oral rehydration salts (ORS) on a large scale. Since there was no prior experience of such a distribution in this area, an evaluation plan was developed specifically to provide rapid feedback through a series of mini-surveys. The mini-surveys were particularly valuable since the distribution of both ORS and contraceptives was staggered over a three year period, with three counties of Menoufia Governorate covered in the first year, three in the second and two in the third. Project officials were able to analyse one year's efforts in time to plan for the following year. Four different approaches to the distribution of oral rehydration salts were tried. Three months after each type of distribution took place, a mini-survey was conducted in the area targeted for the distribution. Results of the mini-surveys were analysed within two months of each survey, allowing programme officials ample time to consider the results and modify the delivery approach prior to the beginning of the subsequent rounds of programme activity. All four approaches were about equally successful in reaching the women in the villages and in communicating information. However, there were some negative reactions to the ORS distribution in the first three approaches. The last approach was the most successful, with many more women reporting that they would administer the treatment and, among those who would not, only a small percentage feeling that the treatment was harmful. These mini-surveys were very useful in quickly providing quantitative information on the manner in which women were reacting to the programme. However, mini-surveys would not be appropriate if project officials were interested in detailed characterization of women who correctly used oral rehydration salts or of women who felt the treatment would harm children.

Developing country · Distribution (mathematics) · Economic growth · Environmental health · Family medicine · Family planning · Feeling · Geography · Population · Research methodology · Rural area · Scale (ratio) · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Household Distribution of Contraceptives in Rural Egypt

  Saad M Gadalla, Saad Gadalla et al.•Studies in Family Planning•1980

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