Behavioural Surveillance Surveys - The Wisdom of Whores

Assuring quality control
before and during fieldwork
If care is taken to exercise quality control
during fieldwork, two main sources of error
that interfere with the ability to collect valid
data will be avoided. One source comes from
people collecting the data, and the other from
the people from whom the data is being
collected.
It is commonly said that people do not
tell the truth about their sexual behaviors, and
that they exaggerate, withhold information, or
refuse to admit to behaviors that are culturally
unacceptable. Experience has shown that
there are techniques that can be used to
increase the likelihood of honest sharing of
information. When interviewers are well
trained to discuss sensitive behaviors with
respondents and make them feel at ease,
research suggests that respondents will provide
truthful information.
The interview and supervisor guidelines
found in Appendix 2 provide one example of
a necessary tool for ensuring quality of fieldwork.
Other quality control issues relate to
interactions with the groups being surveyed.
Often these surveys are conducted with
communities who are vulnerable and therefore
reticent to open up to strangers. Working
through community organizations who have
relationships with the target populations is an
essential component of this work. In some
cases, such as with men who have sex with
men or injecting drug users, it will be necessary
to use members of the respondent community
(or those working with them) to do the
interviewing because it cannot be expected
that rapport can be built with sub-populations
in a very short period of time. If interviewers
do not come from the community, then they
must be carefully chosen individuals who do
not threaten the respondents in any way.
A concern for the privacy and confidentiality of
the community must be maintained at all times.
Winning the trust of the community is part of
the whole package of obtaining valid results.
In summary, reliable and valid behavioral
data can best be guaranteed by ensuring that:
• Questionnaires are sufficiently pre-tested;
• Interviewers are well-trained;
• Questionnaire administration includes
rapport-building and is consistently applied;
• A confidential atmosphere is provided
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C H A PTER 6 B EHAV I OR A L S U R V EI L L A NC E S U R V EY S