 |
Community Need Assessment Training Manual for NGO PFI |
|
|
1 Pages 1-10 |
▲back to top |
|
|
1.1 Page 1 |
▲back to top |
|
|
1.2 Page 2 |
▲back to top |
Guidance
Mr. Amulya Ratna Nanda
Dr. Almas Ali
Dr. Kumudha Aruldas
Dr. Sharmila Neogi
Contributors
Dr. Sanjit Nayak
Ms. Sudipta Mukhopadhyay
Mr. Matish Kumar
Mr. Jayant Bag
Mr. Jagannath Kompella
Ms. Mridu Pandey
Designing
Ms. Sona Sharma
Ms. Chandni Malik
|
|
1.3 Page 3 |
▲back to top |
FOREWORD
The Population Foundation of India is the Regional Resource Centre
(RRC) for Bihar and Chhattisgarh to provide technical support to Non
Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations in
management of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) program. One of the
key areas of technical support provided by RRC is capacity building of
NGOs in program planning and management.
This manual is an effort on the part of the RRC in developing the
capacity of the organizations by providing them various tools and
techniques requisite for planning of health programs and projects
through community needs assessment.
We hope that the manual will prove to be a valuable source of
information and a handy guide for NGOs in order to enable them to
develop the health plans for the community through conducting
community needs assessment.
We sincerely thank NGO division, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare, Government of India for its continued guidance and support
towards preparing this document.
New Delhi
May 2009
A R Nanda
Executive Director
Population Foundation of India
|
|
1.4 Page 4 |
▲back to top |
CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION
1
2. NEEDS ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
3
I Key informant approach;
II Public forum approach;
III Nominal group process technique;
IV Delphi technique; and
V Survey approach.
3. COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS
15
I The Process, Steps & Methodology
II Getting Ready / Preparation
III Developing a Needs Assessment Survey
IV Creating Needs Assessment Survey Format
4. COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT TOOLS
20
I Focus Group Interview
II Public Issues Forum
III Secondary Data Analysis
IV Community Survey
V Interviews
VI Asset Maping
5. A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO CONDUCT CNA
26
I The Planning and Organizing Phase
II Needs Assessment Survey Data Collection
III Summarizing and Disseminating The Needs Assessment Survey
Results
IV Sharing Reports / Results through Public Forum
6. CONCLUSION
37
7. ANNEXURES
38
I Household Format
II Village Format
III Participatory Rural Appraisal and Techniques
8. REFERENCES
66
|
|
1.5 Page 5 |
▲back to top |
INTRODUCTION
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 was a
milestone in the history of population and development. It looked at the whole question of
population anew from the aspect of reproductive health and reproductive rights.
ICPD recommended that population related program must be aimed at enabling the couples and
individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children, and to have
the information and means to do so and to ensure informed choices and to make available a full
range of safe and effective methods. The success of population education and family planning
program in a variety of settings demonstrates that informed individuals everywhere can and will
act responsibly in the light of their own needs and those of their families and communities. The
principle of informed free choice is essential to the long-term success of family planning
program.
Based on this new outlook, the target free approach for the family welfare program was extended
all over the country from 1st April 1996 as was renamed as Community Needs Assessment
Approach (CNA) in 1997-98. Till March 1996, the national level targets in respect of different
family planning methods used to be fixed in consultation with the states and union territories,
keeping in view their long term demographic goals and past performance levels. These targets
became an end in themselves and not the means to bring about the expected decline in budgets.
The new outlook necessitated decentralized participatory planning. Under this approach, the
planning of family welfare services was to be formulated in consultation with the community at
the grassroots level and it was expected to lead to improvement in the quality of services and
planned satisfaction.
Like any other program, this program initially lacked intersectoral coordination, thereby
reducing the effectiveness of plans in the health sector. It was observed that infrastructure was
getting more focus here than the functions of the district and state authority. In order to bridge
this gap and to involve the community, the CNA approach is important to be adopted as part of
the decentralized planning process in health.
Community needs assessment refers to need assessment and planning for the services with the
involvement of the community, NGOs, community health volunteers, women's group and
panchayat. Since the emphasis is on providing quality health services as well as on promoting use
of birth spacing methods, the CNA concept means that these would be based on the actual needs
of the people and not the needs as perceived by the top professionals and administrators.
The CNA program is taking up its speed gradually. It has been noticed that action plans are being
done through house-to-house surveys in many districts; panchayat workers in some districts of
1
|
|
1.6 Page 6 |
▲back to top |
some states are maintaining birth and death registers. In order to get direct interaction with
clients, other voluntary agencie’s participation is also undertaken now.
Aims of CNA
The goal of need assessment is to identify the assets of the community and determine potential
concerns that it faces. A straight forward way to estimate the needs of a community is to simply
ask residents their opinion about the development of their services within the community, their
satisfaction with the services and what particular services are needed. Their opinions can be used
in building an agenda aimed at community change that can build the capacity of the community-
based organizations that are designed to provide its resident's services and development
opportunities.
CNA Approach
Through the CNA approach, the services to be provided to the community are based on their
actual needs, as these are assessed systematically. And therefore, these would help in:
X Setting priorities,
X Identifying target as well as high risk groups,
X Leading to realistic estimation of services and matching of resources needed
for the same.
X Developing realistic action plan/work plan for the functionaries/ service providers that
would be relevant to local situations.
This approach can be used for distribution of contraceptives such as oral pills and condoms
provide sexuality and gender education and counseling and create awareness concerning family
planning and child care (use of Home Available Fluid and Oral Rehydration Solution), importance
of breast feeding and nutrition etc. In addition, family life education can also be organized.
Importance of CNA
The need assessment is conducted due to following reasons:
X Identify community needs, concerns and issues
X Target outreach programs
X Empower grass-roots Action around needs
X Determine if needs have changed?
X Collect communities' hopes/dreams/desires
2
|
|
1.7 Page 7 |
▲back to top |
NEEDS ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
Five commonly utilized approaches for gathering new information on the needs of community
are mentioned underneath:
(A) Key informant approach
(B) Public forum approach
(C) Nominal group process technique
(D) Delphi technique and
(E ) Survey approach
Each represents a unique method for gathering information on the concerns of community.
Which technique should you use in your needs assessment activities?
The quality of information about a community is only as good as the technique or combination of
techniques used. A single technique may be too narrow in the information it provides; using too
many methods may be costly in terms of time and money. Different techniques are appropriate
for different needs. Analyze the situation and the most significant questions being asked, and
then weigh the advantages and disadvantages of several techniques.
(A) Key Informant Approach
Purpose
To collect information from those community residents who, because of their professional
training and/or affiliation with particular organizations, agencies, or associations, are in a prime
position to know what the needs facing the community are likely to be.
Approach
A brief interview or survey is conducted by one or more sponsoring organizations, agencies, or
associations, and administered to community residents identified as "key informants." The data
derived from these procedures can be used by the sponsoring group to obtain a more
comprehensive viewpoint of what the needs facing the public are. After the data from the
questionnaires or interviews are collected and organized, the sponsoring group may want to
"feed back" the findings of the survey to the key informants who participated. In this way, the
sponsoring group may help stimulate additional insights into public needs.
3
|
|
1.8 Page 8 |
▲back to top |
Types of Key Informants
X X Elected officials (e.g., mayors, commissioners, etc.)
X X Key persons in institutional areas of the community (e.g., religious leaders,
bankers, public safety officials, school administrators, hospital administrators, etc.)
X X Agency administrators (e.g., social service department)
X X Leaders of public service organizations (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, Clubs)
X X Professionals in specific service areas (e.g., physicians, lawyers, teachers, etc.)
How to Implement the Key Informant Approach
1. Compile a list of "key informants" by name
2. Decide how you want to collect information from these key informants—via
questionnaires, interviews, or meetings (perhaps all)
3. Construct a brief questionnaire and/or interview form which can be used to
obtain the information you need
4. Gather data
5. Organize data
6. Interpret data
7. Schedule a meeting with key informants. Present the findings of your study to
them
8. Discuss your interpretations and their interpretations of the data
The instrument administered to key informants should contain questions that will successfully
elicit the type of information needed to identify community needs. From our vantage point, this
might include the following types of questions:
X The key informant's perceptions (or attitudes) of general community needs, or
needs that might exist within specific areas of the community (e.g., the local
economy, public education, or health services)
X His/her perceptions (or attitudes) concerning what is currently being done
about meeting those needs; and
X His/her ideas as to what should be done about resolving needs that remain unmet.
X As a means of ensuring that a good cross-section of key informants comprises
your study, it might be useful to also include questions concerning the background
characteristics of key informants (e.g., age, sex, race, community, residence)
4
|
|
1.9 Page 9 |
▲back to top |
Advantages
1. One of the easiest and least expensive ways to systematically assess needs.
2. Opportunity to establish rapport and trust and thus obtain the insiders'
view.
3. Depth of information concerning causes of reasons.
4. Permits continual clarification of ideas and information.
5. Can be combined effectively with other techniques.
6. Permits input from many individuals with different perspectives on the
needs of the community.
7. Can be implemented by community volunteers, thereby building citizen
involvement and awareness.
8. Does not involve the high cost of printing and data analysis.
9. May help initiate (or strengthen) the lines of communication among
service organizations, agencies, and associations.
10. Discussion of the findings with the key informants promotes insights for all
concerned.
11. The data collection instruments are usually easier to construct than those
associated with the Survey Approach.
Disadvantages
1. The information derived from this technique may represent a "biased
perspective": information is typically elicited from "providers of services" (as
opposed to the "consumers" of services).
2. The information derived from key informants often represents the
perspectives (and biases) of the organization, agencies, and associations with
which these informants are associated.
3. A group meeting held to "feed back" the findings of the study to the key
informants may only work to rigidify a "provider" bias in terms of clarifying
what the real needs are.
4. Personal relationships between researchers and informants may influence
type of data obtained.
5. Jealousies and resentment on the part of other community members whose
opinions are not solicited may develop.
6. Should be combined with other methods, because representation of
total community is difficult to achieve.
5
|
|
1.10 Page 10 |
▲back to top |
7. Few people can sense all the needs and concerns of all people in a community.The
perspectives of those who are less visible may be overlooked.
(B) An Optional Approach
One of the weaknesses associated with the traditional key informant approach is the persons
identified as "key" may not always hold formal positions in the community, nor may they wield a
substantial amount of power and influence.
The "expanded key informant approach” is designed to capture some of those individuals who
may be omitted using the traditional approach but who occupy positions of leadership in the
community.
One method that can be used to identify these people is to select five individuals who hold official
positions in the community (e.g., county/city commissioner, city manager, business leader). Ask
each of these persons the following concerning the issue(s), which is (are) being considered:
Please name five to ten individuals who you feel are knowledgeable about this (these)
issue(s) in this community.
X Compile the list of persons mentioned.
X Take the most frequently mentioned persons on the list and ask them to
complete the same questionnaire or interview that the key informants (who hold
formal positions of authority) have been asked to complete. (In some cases, key
informants holding formal positions will also appear on this latter list.)
X If time and resources permit, ask these persons to identify the five to ten people who
they believe are most knowledgeable about the issue or issues in question.
X You will notice that at some point along the line, an increasing number of repeat
selections will appear on your list. You can stop the process at this point and ask the
most frequently mentioned persons to respond to the key informant questionnaire or
interview.
(C) The Public-Forum Approach
Purpose
To elicit information from a wide range of community residents concerning issues and
community needs via group discussion taking place at a series of public meetings.
6
|
|
2 Pages 11-20 |
▲back to top |
|
|
2.1 Page 11 |
▲back to top |
Approach
One or more organizations, agencies, or associations sponsor a series of public meetings
(forums) during which time the participants discuss what some of the needs facing the
community are, what some of the priority needs are, and what can be done about these priority
needs.
Who Should Attend Forums?
X Open invitation (encourage all members of the community to attend).
X Special invitation to "key informants," such as those types previously considered under
the Key Informant Approach.
How to Implement the Public Forum Approach
1. Develop a list of discussion questions that will serve as the basis for group discussion. Such
questions as:
X What are the most important needs facing our community?
X Why are these important needs?
X What have we done to help meet these needs in the past?
X Where have we failed in the past in our attempt to meet these needs?
X Are they broad enough, yet pertinent, so that most community residents (and those
participating at the forums) should feel free to address the issues without too much
difficulty. However, public forums are probably most useful where specific issues and
needs are being addressed.
2. Select a strategically located place for the initial meeting.Try to select a meeting place that you
feel will be conducive to the open interchange of ideas. Large assembly halls, for example, are
not usually the most appropriate settings for open discussion. Also, select a site that is
geographically and socially acceptable to all segments of the population.
3. Publicize the purpose, date, and place at which the forum will be held. Use the media as much
as possible.
4. The group sponsoring the initial forum should take the initiative in conducting the first
meeting. A person representing the group should be responsible for communicating the
7
|
|
2.2 Page 12 |
▲back to top |
purpose of the forum to those present and what the meeting hopes to accomplish. Another
person representing the sponsoring group should be responsible for recording ideas and
suggestions presented at the meeting.
5. After stating the purpose objective and ‘ground rules' for the initial forum, the discussion
leader should pose the questions prepared in advance to the audience. Encourage open
discussion and interchange of ideas.
6. If the participants are on the right track, you'll find that the recommendations for topics to
consider and/or directions to consider for possible next meetings, will "come from the floor."
If this occurs, the convener should make sure an "adhoc" committee of participants is
organized to plan for the next meeting.
7. Make sure the recorder gets the names of all the participants so they may be personally
contacted prior to the next forum.
8. Recognize that unlike the other needs-assessment approaches discussed thus far, you'll
probably need to "play it by ear" more with the Public Forum Approach. Be well prepared for the
initial meeting. Then let the participants join with you in planning for future meetings. Your
goal is to learn from them by permitting them to get involved in the needs assessment
process.
Advantages
1. Offers a good way to elicit opinions from a wide range of the citizenry.
2. Provides an opportunity for citizens to actively participate in the needs
assessment process.
3. Participants in the forums may offer able assistance to decision makers after
the need assessment process is completed.
4. Often contributes to enhancing the lines of communication between the
"providers”and "consumers" of services and programs.
5. Perhaps the least expensive of all the systematic needs assessment
approaches. It is also one of the easiest to implement.
6. Can provide a quick, intensive picture of community concerns.
7. Gives community issues broad visibility.
8. Useful to identify problems, assess needs, or to suggest questions requiring
further study.
8
|
|
2.3 Page 13 |
▲back to top |
Disadvantages
1. The burden will be squarely on the sponsoring organizations, agencies, or
associations to encourage participation.
2. Require good leadership and advance organization.
3. Opinions obtained are limited to those who attend—all viewpoints may not be
heard.
4. Participants in the forums may actually represent a variety of "vested interest"
groups.
5. Poor advance planning and advertising may result in limited participation.
6. Participants in forums may use the sessions as a vehicle to publicize their
grievances ("gripes") about local organizations or agencies.
7. If not well facilitated, only the vocal minorities will be heard.
8. A large turnout may prevent everyone from speaking and may limit time
allowed for each speaker.
9. May generate more questions than answers.
10. The forums may bring about unrealistic expectations in the minds of the
participants in terms of what "providers" can do to help meet needs.
(D) The Nominal Group Process Approach
Purpose
An idea generating strategy to gather individual's ideas in a face-to-face non-threatening
situations.
Approach
The nominal group process is intended to maximize creative participation of group members.
Input from all participants is required. The process takes advantage of each person's knowledge
and experience. This approach is useful in generating and clarifying ideas, reaching consensus,
prioritizing, and making decisions on alternative actions.
How to Implement the Nominal Group Process Approach
There are many variations in using the nominal group process. The following steps outline one
general approach to using the process:
9
|
|
2.4 Page 14 |
▲back to top |
1. If a large number of participants are involved, divide participants into small
groups of 6 to 20 persons.
2. Members of the group write their individual ideas on paper.
3. Each person discusses his/her ideas and all concerns are listed on a chart or
board.
4. Each idea is discussed, clarified, and evaluated by the group.
5. Each person assigns priorities by silent ballot.
6. Group priorities are tallied.
7. Discussion of final group priorities.
Advantages
1. If well organized in advance, a heterogeneous group can move towards definite
conclusions.
2. Can be used to expand the data obtained from surveys or existing documents,
or can be used to generate a more specific survey.
3. Motivates all participants to get involved because they sense they are
personally affected.
4. Generates many ideas in a short period of time; allows for a full range of
individuals’ thoughts and concerns.
5. A good way to obtain input from people of different backgrounds and
experiences.
6. Gives all participants an equal opportunity to express opinions and ideas in a
non-threatening setting.
7. Stimulates creative thinking and effective dialogue.
8. Allow for clarification of ideas.
Disadvantages
1. May be extremely difficult to implement with large audiences unless advance
preparation has taken place to train group facilitators and divide participants
into groups of 6 to 10 members
2. Process may appear rigid if group leader does not show flexibility—encourage
agenda building, and show respect for all ideas and concerns.
3. May be some overlap of ideas due to unclear wording or inadequate group
discussion.
4. "Knowledgeable" individuals selected to participate may not represent all community
subgroups.
10
|
|
2.5 Page 15 |
▲back to top |
5. Assertive personalities may dominate unless leadership skills are exercised.
6. May not be a sufficient source of data in itself; may require follow-up survey,
observations or documentary analysis.
(E) The Delphi Technique
Purpose
An idea-generating strategy that does not require face-to-face interaction, although it can also be
used in small groups or workshop setting.
Approach
The Delphi technique is more structured than the nominal group process and uses a series of
questionnaires and summarized feedback reports from preceding responses. This approach is
useful for many of the same things as the nominal group process: generating and clarifying
ideas, reaching consensus, prioritizing, and making decisions on alternative actions. Since face-
to- face interaction is not a requirement, the Delphi technique could be used with groups that
would not ordinarily meet together.
How to Implement the Delphi Technique
Many variations of the Delphi technique can be designed. The following steps outline a general
approach for using the Delphi technique:
1. Develop a questionnaire focusing on identified issues: problems, causes,
solutions, actions. The intent is for each respondent to list ideas regarding the
specified issue.
2. Distribute the questionnaire to an appropriate group of respondents.
3. Each respondent independently generates ideas in answering the questions
and returns the questionnaires.
4. Summarize the questionnaires into a feedback report and develop a second
questionnaire for the same respondent group. The second questionnaire should ask
respondents to prioritized or rank input from the first round.
5. Distribute feedback summary and second questionnaire.
6. Respondents review feedback report, independently rate priority ideas in
second questionnaire, and return response.
11
|
|
2.6 Page 16 |
▲back to top |
7. This process is repeated until general agreement is reached on problems,
causes, solutions, and actions.
8. A final summary and feedback report is prepared and distributed to
respondents. The feedback reports throughout this process allow for the
exchange of opinions and priorities, and often result in individual changes in
opinions and priorities after respondents evaluate the general group
perspectives.
Advantages
1. Allows participants to remain anonymous.
2. Inexpensive
3. Free of social pressure, personality influence, and individual dominance.
4. Allows sharing of information and reasoning among participants.
5. Conducive to independent thinking and gradual formulation.
6. A well-selected respondent panel—a mix of local officials, knowledgeable
individuals citizens of the community, regional official, academic social
scientists,etc.—can provide, a broad analytical perspective on local problems
and concerns.
7. Can be used to reach consensus among groups hostile to each other.
Disadvantages
1. Judgments are those of a selected group of people and may not be
representative.
2. Tendency to eliminate extreme positions and force a middle-of-the-road
consensus.
3. More time-consuming than the nominal group process.
4. Should not be viewed as a total solution.
5. Requires skill in written communication.
6. It requires adequate time and participant commitment (about 30 to 45 days to
complete the entire process).
(F) The Survey Approach
Purpose
To collect information from a wide range of community residents concerning issues and
community needs via their responses to specific questions included in an interview schedule or
questionnaire.
12
|
|
2.7 Page 17 |
▲back to top |
Approach
Information (data) is gathered through a carefully developed instrument administered to
individuals identified via a sampling procedure.
Basic Requirements
X At least some training or experience in the construction of survey instruments is
recommended for this approach (e.g., writing clear and precise questions).
X At least some training or experience in sampling techniques is recommended (e.g.,
some consideration should be given to selecting the most appropriate sampling
design given the nature of the study).
Some Types of Surveys
X Personal (face-to-face) interviews
X Personal distribution and collection
X Self administered questionnaires completed by respondents in groups
X Telephone interviews
X Mailed questionnaires
The three types of surveys can often be compared in terms of:
(1) Cost of implementation;
(2) Time needed for completion;
(3) Rate of refusal; and
(4) The extent and type of training needed by supporting staff.
Advantages
1. Perhaps the best approach for eliciting the attitudes of a broad range of
individuals.
2. The data obtained are usually valid and reliable.
3. Techniques—mail survey, telephone survey, personal interview, drop-off and
pick-up survey— may be selected in relation to desired cost or response rate.
4. Can be used to survey an entire population and provide an opportunity for
many persons to feel involved in the decision-making process.
13
|
|
2.8 Page 18 |
▲back to top |
5. Secures information from individuals who may be the recipients of services
initiated as a result of the findings, thereby eliciting data from individuals who
are usually in a good position of critique present services.
6. Can be used to record behaviors as well as opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and
beliefs.
7. An excellent technique to use in conjunction with other systematic needs
assessment techniques.
Disadvantages
1. This approach is often the most costly.
2. To ensure statistical meaning, samples must be carefully selected.
3. Results may not be valid if survey is not designed correctly.
4. May require time and expertise to develop the survey, train interviewers,
conduct interviews, and analyze results.
5. Is subject to misinterpretation depending on how the questions and response
categories are designed.
6. Tendency for scope of data to be limited— omission of underlying reasons, and
actual behavioral patterns.
7. Individuals sometimes hesitant to answer questions. Individuals who do answer
questions sometimes answer them in the most desirable way (i.e., perhaps their
answers represent what they think the authors want to hear, not necessarily
how the respondents really feel. This is a problem particularly with interviews.)
8. Surveys are often "one shot" affairs. For example, persons responding to a
needs survey may not be reserved again in the future.
9. Individuals' attitudes can change rapidly.
“Attitudes can change due to a variety of "intervening factors."
14
|
|
2.9 Page 19 |
▲back to top |
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS
The Process of CNA involves following steps.
X Epidemiological and planning skills
X Defining Population Groups
X Produce Health Information Intervention
X Assess health status, health problems and needs for RCH services
X Prioritizing
X Choose Alternative RCH services as per estimated needs
X Increase Assess and focus on the quality of services
X Evaluate Effectiveness
Steps for Community Needs Assessment and Consultative Process
It should be ensured that the health workers at each sub-centre level follow all the steps.
X Develop a working team consisting of Anganwadi Workers, Birth Attendants, Mahila
Swasthya Sangh members, link persons and leaders of youth organizations at every
village.
X Form a consultative group of panchayat members, teachers, priests, opinion leaders
etc.
X Conduct household survey with the help of the working team.
X Consult the consultative members for collection of more information and confirmation
or validation of the information collected through survey.
X Estimate the needs for each health and family welfare service based on the analysis of
survey data.
X Hold meetings of the working team and consultative members every month regularly.
X Share information regarding services provided and seek feedback.
Needs Assessment Methodology
This will help you to identify what needs to be done to collect the data.
A. Getting Ready
X Identify the participants whom you want to survey.
X Identify your needs assessment strategy.
X Determine the types of measures that you will use to collect your information-this will
include using focus group, developing and using a needs assessment survey, and
information gathered at community public forums
15
|
|
2.10 Page 20 |
▲back to top |
X How will the data be collected? For example, door-to-door survey is often used in needs
assessments.
X How will the information be analyzed?
X How will the information be summarized and presented in the final report?
X It is necessary that all the information above be incorporated in to the “selecting
methodology phase” meetings in order to ensure that you have a strong foundation to
support the needs assessment findings
X Before developing a needs assessment survey to administer to community
residents, you need to address some key preliminary issues.
X You must define the population you are targeting so that you can determine whomthe
needs assessment will be focused on (e.g. community residents, small business
owners, teachers within a certain school, districts or people within certain geographic
boundaries).
X The current resources within the community should also be acknowledged. The needs
assessment should not just focus on concerns or weaknesses of the community but
should also recognize the strengths and existing resources of a community. This can
be done in next several phases by allowing community members to voice their
opinions on the strengths of their community and this can be subsequently included as
items in the needs assessment survey. In addition community strengths can also be
used in the needs assessment process e.g. grassroot organization could assist with
data collection or sponsor a public forum.
B. Developing a Needs Assessment Survey
Several needs assessment strategy have been suggested in the literature. The use of focus groups
is, for creating a needs assessment survey and community public forums, collecting and
analyzing data, writing the final report and planning action committees. The focus of this
methodology is to create an agenda based on perceived needs and concerns of community
residents. There are several phases when developing a needs assessment survey that must be
followed in order to accurately present the concerns and strengths of a community. These
include organizing a focus group and developing needs assessment survey.
a) The focus groups
Using small informal groups to discuss and reflect on issues surrounding their community is a
way to start compiling a list of issues that will be included on the needs assessment survey. The
focus group consists of people who share a common situation to some degree. For instance, you
may want to organize a focus group in which the participants are similar to each other (e.g. a
16
|
|
3 Pages 21-30 |
▲back to top |
|
|
3.1 Page 21 |
▲back to top |
youth-only focus group) since the primary goal of the discussion is to allow a free flowing
exchange of ideas and opinions. If there appears to be a great difference between members
within a focus group discussion, the participants may become intimidated and limit their input.
We suggest holding a few focus groups; one with community leaders, this includes local
politicians, business owners, block club leaders and community activists; another focus group
would consist of the adult residents of the community; and the other consisting of youth
residents of the community.
b) How to prepare for a focus group
X Prepare an invitation list for each focus group, including their name and address.
These should be no more 8-10 people for each focus group.
X Set up a date, time and location for the focus group.
X Call each potential participant and personally request him/ her to attend the focus
group.
X Briefly describe the purpose of the focus group and let them know that refreshments
will be served.
X Choose your facilitator; this person will lead the discussion. Choose some one from the
partnership who can be regarded as an “outsider” so that the participants don't feel
threatened by agency presence.
X Arrange someone who can take notes and be in charge of audio taping the discussion.
Send out a flyer/ invitation to each invitee along with a brief explanation of the purpose
of the focus group and the needs assessment.
A Few Reminders
For the facilitators of the focus groups, it is a good idea to have a list of issues that
are important to the agency staff to make sure that important topics are discussed
with in these focus groups. These areas should reflect themes of interest to the
agency such as; safety at schools, access & affordability of medical services, housing
transportation, city work, business opportunities, activities for youth, and other
service agencies. These are determined in part, by the focus or goal of the needs
assessment.
Once the focus group participants have settled down…
X Introduce yourself as the facilitator
X Have the participants introduce themselves
X Briefly describe the need assessment process, why it's being done, and the role
of the focus groups. Also let them know that you will be tape recording the
discussion and that their opinions will be kept confidential.
If anyone has any problems with you Tape-recording the proceedings, they
should let you know right away.
X Answer any questions from the participants.
17
|
|
3.2 Page 22 |
▲back to top |
c) Conducting the focus Group
When the focus of the need assessment is to identify community strengths and
concerns the following questions can be asked for discussion:
X What do you think are some the strength of this community ?
With what aspect of your community are you satisfied? Be careful to keep the
discussion on track. You will find that some of the participants want to
immediately talk about their concerns.
X What do you think are some of the concerns of this community?
You might want to use checklist to make sure that some important topics are
covered (e.g. Health, Education, and Safety). If towards the end of this part of the
discussion, no one has brought up a certain topic, introduce it in to the discussion.
X What do you value about your community?
What aspect of your community do you consider important? This is asking the
participants what makes them proud of their community (this is not necessarily the
same as strength of a community but what the individuals value for themselves and
their families.)
For The Facilitator
Here are some important points to remember…
X Although you are leading the discussion, stay in the background and let
the participants have their say,
X Be sure that the group stays on the topic
X Don't let one person dominate the discussion, encourage those who
haven't talked to express their opinions
X One way to show the group that you are listening is to perhaps repeat what
they are saying and ask them to confirm if is accurate
X Be sure to note down the focus group details: time, place, location, number of
attendees etc.
18
|
|
3.3 Page 23 |
▲back to top |
d) Ending the focus group
X Before ending the focus group, the facilitator should do a quick summary of what
was discussed and highlight the main points
X End the discussion by thanking everyone for participating and letting them know What
the next step will be (Developing the survey). If they want more information on how
they could help, direct them to the program manager.
X We recommend sending a thank you card to all of the participants as a gesture of your
appreciation and letting them know how to contact the agency if they want to continue
helping in this process. This is a good way of getting some volunteers to help with the
up coming data collection.
X Announce when the survey will be ready and recruit their help if residents express
interest in helping with the data collection and also invite them to upcoming the public
forum
e) After the focus group
After the focus groups are complete, compile all of the answer to each of the three questions in a
list. When compiling these answers they should be categorized in to different areas or
dimensions that were part of the discussion (e.g. transportation, daycare, and health services).
This represents the beginning of your needs assessment survey. Present these items to your need
assessment partnership and start discussing how these will be incorporated in to the survey.
C. Creating the Need Assessment Survey
Items on the survey are based on the information provided in the several focus groups and are
also adapted from several other community needs assessment survey.
The survey consists of 3 parts
(1) 30-35 item questionnaire
(2) several open ended questions regarding concerns and strengths of the community
(3) a demographic page
( Refer annexure I & II )
19
|
|
3.4 Page 24 |
▲back to top |
Following are the various community assessment tools that can be used for identifying the
community need:
X Focus Group Interview
X Public Issues Forum
X Secondary Data Analysis
X Community Survey Questionnaire
X Interviews
X Asset Mapping
(A) Focus Group Interview
The focus group is a way to gather the opinions/ ideas from a small, targeted group of citizens.
The intention of focus groups is perhaps more to build a synergy of thoughts and ideas than it is
to make projections about the community.
Advantages:
X Easy to conduct
X Provides detailed information
X Allows for issue probing
X Stimulates thinking and discussion
Disadvantages:
X Ideas generated not necessarily prevalent
X Small sample for effort
X Difficult to analyze
X Quiet folks suppressed
X Requires participation
(B) Public Issues Forum
Community forums are public meetings that involve residents to express their concerns about
community issues, problems, and needs.
20
|
|
3.5 Page 25 |
▲back to top |
Advantages
X Diverse members can share ideas
X Provides quick look at community issues
X Involves local citizens
X Inexpensive
Disadvantages
X Requires skill/time
X Opinions obtained only from those who attend
X May generate more questions or conflict
(For details about public issue forum, please refer public issue forum section in the previous
section of the manual).
(C) Secondary Data Analysis
Secondary data is data that is collected about a particular audience without having direct contact
with that audience. It can often provide insight about emerging trends or issues in a particular
community.
Advantages
X Data already exists
X Fast & easy to access
X Data available for many geographic levels
Disadvantages
X Representative sample may not be accurate
X Gaps in data
X Requires inferences
X Lack of Data Richness
(D) Community Survey
Community surveys help one to gather information about local attitudes regarding precisely
21
|
|
3.6 Page 26 |
▲back to top |
defined issues, problems or opportunities. Surveys may be open ended or multiple choices.
Advantages
X Wide distribution
X Good for data analysis
X Strong sample of the population
Disadvantages
X Expensive
X Requires skill/time
X Suffers low return rate
X Poor qualitative tool
For details about community needs survey, please refer community needs survey section in the
previous section of the manual).
(E) Interviews
An interview is a conversation with a purpose, designed to help you gather information about
people's assumptions/perceptions of activities in your community. They are useful when
looking for in-depth information on a particular topic.
Advantages
X Detailed information
X Allows for clarification/ follow-up on questions
X Personal contact builds rapport
Disadvantages
X Time-consuming
X Requires skill/time
X Information is hard to summarize
X Little quantitative value
Steps in Interview Process:
1. Form a Steering Committee to guide process
22
|
|
3.7 Page 27 |
▲back to top |
2. Determine who is to be interviewed
3. Select a skilled Interviewer
4. Select questions
5. Decide on an interview format/delivery method
X Formal or informal structure
X Face-to-face, telephone, or email delivery
6. Inform the participants
7. Practice
8. Steer / guide the interview session (take notes)
9. Write a summary report
10. Thank the interviewees
Developing and Asking Interview Quest
X Don't ask defensive questions.
X Avoid the two-in-one question.
X Avoid complex questions.
X Keep it short.
(F) Asset Mapping
Asset mapping is a technique for cataloguing local community assets/resources to meet
community objectives. The goal is to identify and utilize assets to better the community rather
than to focus on problems and needs.
Advantages
X Focuses on what community already has.
X Provides diverse look at community assets.
X Involves multiple stakeholders.
Disadvantages
X Community assets may not match key issues.
X People tend to respond to crises rather than possibilities.
23
|
|
3.8 Page 28 |
▲back to top |
The assets come in many forms like:
X Human Assets
X Associational Assets
X Institutional Assets
X Local Business Assets
X Outside Resources
Asset-Based Community Development
Following are the eight steps for asset based community development and the facilitator should
take into consideration these steps while conducting asset mapping:
Step 8
Identify Opportunities &
Mobilize Community
Step 1
Form A Steering
Committee
Step 7
Cross Reference
Needs With Assets
Step 6
Develop Resource List
Step 2
Commit Resources
Step 3
Identify Your
Community
Step 5
Administer Asset
Assessment Tool
Step 4
Decide On Inventory
Method
There are various community asset inventories e.g
X Personal Skills Inventory
X Institution/Organization/Business Inventory
X Previous Efforts Inventory
X Community Development Opportunities
X Development of a Plan
24
|
|
3.9 Page 29 |
▲back to top |
Factors for Choosing an Assessment Tool
Following are the factors, which need to be taken into consideration while choosing the
community need assessment tool:
X Purpose of Assessment
X Type of Data Needed
X Time Commitment
X Cost
X Skills Needed
X Target Audience
X Sources of Bias
25
|
|
3.10 Page 30 |
▲back to top |
A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO CONDUCT CNA
How to conduct a Community Needs Assessment ( CNA )
The following is a “how to” guide that briefly details the steps of the concerned report method
from beginning with the planning phases and ending with the implementation of action
committees and the utilization of findings of the needs assessment. Ideally, a needs assessment
is done in collaboration with local community –based organizations, advocacy groups, and /or a
university unit. The needs assessment guide is intended to facilitate the work of community
leaders, agency staffs and university practitioners in identifying the concerns and strengths a
community and to develop initiatives to address the needs brought forth by the assessment
process
The needs assessment methodology is divided into four.
The needs assessment process begins with the
planning and organizing phase
Need assessment survey data collection
Summarizing and disseminating the needs assessment
survey results
Sharing the reports / results through public forum to
facilitate action planning.
A) The Planning and organizing phase
The planning phase begins with partnership between those organizations that are likely to be
involved in the needs assessment. During the first phase, partners who are working together
should have the opportunity to get to know each other and develop specific goals and objectives
for the needs assessment process. The first step in this process is information gathering and is
followed by learning more about the organization sponsoring needs assessment and
identification of goals and objectives. The steps outlined below form the planning and
organizing phase of a needs assessment. These steps need to be completed prior to moving on
the next phase.
a) Information gathering
X Get to know your needs Assessment Committee
26
|
|
4 Pages 31-40 |
▲back to top |
|
|
4.1 Page 31 |
▲back to top |
X Have several introductory meetings between organization staffs and other partners
(e.g. grassroot groups or university researchers).
During these meetings the following should be undertaken
X Identify the relevant stakeholders. This includes the stakeholders of the program
being assessed, the program staffs, the donor and the consumers of the program.
X Learn about the community the organization serves and its residents
X Review already existing material developed by the program staffs and look at any
archival information pertaining to the development or history of the program.
X Share your expectations and approach regarding the need assessment with the
other partners.
X Discuss and identify potential users of the agenda likely to be generated by the
needs assessment process.
b) Learn about the organization and the program that is being assessed
Partners outside the sponsoring agency need to:
X Learn about the organizational culture and its philosophy by interviewing staff
including the Executive Director, review any existing material, touring the
community and leaning more about the target population that the organization
serves.
X Conduct a literature review to see what the recent research has to offer (e.g.
methodology), review relevant archival information and what previous needs
assessments by the organization have found?
X Where is the program in terms of implementation and development of service
delivery?
X What current resources do the organization and its program offers?
X Identify and learn about the program that would most benefit from needs
assessment
c) Identify goals and objectives for the needs assessment
X Identify your strategy: In this case our strategy is to conduct a needsassessment of the
community.
X Define goals for the need assessment
27
|
|
4.2 Page 32 |
▲back to top |
X Discuss role and expectation for each partner.
X What is the specific purpose of the needs assessment? How will be the data be used to
set a new agenda, support new changes in service delivery or policies?
X What is the time line for the needs assessment?
X Identify the target population, how will a sample from the population be chosen?
B) Needs Assessment Survey Data Collection
Once you have developed your needs assessment survey, you can now begin data collection!
X There are several important aspects of data collection besides administering a
door-to-door survey that need to be considered. A needs assessment survey of this
nature could be distributed in several ways. This includes mailing the survey to a
random sample or mailing to all of the relevant population.
X Although different ways of data collection have been used in needs assessment, our
experience has been that ethnic communities tend to respond better to the door-to-
door method rather than mailed survey.
Prior to data collection, you need to...
X Select the geographical areas to be surveyed
X Decide if you will use an incentive to give to people if they complete the survey
X Decide on community public forum dates (usually 2) where the residents can discuss
the findings. Confirm the location, date, time, and place and make a flyer to hand out
while you are collecting data
X Put together the data-collection kits
X Set aside time prior to data collection to have a training session for your data
collectors on the appropriate and safe way to collect data
a) Obtaining a representation of your community
If the survey is relevant to all community residents then the community should be randomly
sampled in order to obtain a true representation of the community. This requires obtaining a map
of the community and highlighting all of the blocks that fall into the geographic boundaries that
were set in the preliminary planning meetings. Choose how many blocks you wish to sample, for
example if there are 10 data-collecting pairs and each pair is responsible for 4 blocks, then you
28
|
|
4.3 Page 33 |
▲back to top |
will randomly choose 40 blocks. Continuing with this example, equally divide your highlighted
map into 10 areas (approximately equal is fine) and number the individual blocks within each of
the 10 areas. For example, if each of the 10 areas consists of 40 blocks, then label each block
from 1 to 40 and also number 40 pieces of paper from 1 to 40 and place them in a container.
Randomly choose 4 pieces of paper for each of the 10 areas. The first three numbers you choose
are the blocks that will be surveyed and the fourth represents an alternate block that can be
surveyed if time permits. Make sure to exclude blocks that only have schools, parks or industrial
sites as they often take up an entire block (these are often indicated on the map).
X For door-to-door data collection, we suggest forming dyads with staff from the
sponsoring agency or people from the community with the staff from other
partners (e.g. students, community fellows).
X You will instruct all of your data collecting dyads that once they start on one corner of
the block, they should count two houses and knock on the third house and to continue
this pattern until they finish the block.
Double — check...
X Before you begin to randomly select the blocks to be surveyed, meet with the needs
assessment partnership, particularly those who know the area very well and block off
any area that might be considered extremely dangerous (i.e. would put the data
collectors at extreme risk) such areas that have as high gang activity or violence.
X After randomly selecting the blocks using the above method, double check with
agency staff if the areas to be surveyed are relatively safe.
X As a fail-safe, we recommend that you double-check your surveyed areas with an
outside source preferably someone from the community. For example, contact
another local agency and have someone look over your map
b) Flyers advertising the public forum
As will be discussed later, the public forums are held so community residents can discuss the
findings of the needs assessment survey. It is important that you give survey respondents the
information pertaining to the public forum when they are doing the survey so that they know you
fully intend to bring the findings back into the community. Prior to data collection date confirm
the location, date, and time in order to make the flyers that will be handed out while collecting
data.
29
|
|
4.4 Page 34 |
▲back to top |
c) Getting ready to collect surveys
X Provide a training session on how to administer a door-to-door survey, how to be safe,
and answer any questions. Go through the survey a few times to make sure it will be
administered in a consistent manner. It is best to provide this training right before the
data collection.
X Organize the data-collecting volunteers into dyads. One person from the university
side and one person from the agency or the community. This allows for a safer entry
into the community.
X If you are working in a strong bilingual community, we recommend that at least one of
the people in each dyad speak another language (e.g. Oriya).
X Instruct the dyads to conduct the survey outside of the resident's home.
X Data collection dates and times should be selected based on when residents are more
likely to be home.
d) Administering the Door-to-Door Survey
X Clearly read each item of the survey and repeat what the scale represents (e.g.
important, not important etc.) as many times as necessary.
X Read the survey in such a way that both the data-collector and the respondent can see
the survey and so that the respondent can correct any misunderstandings as the data-
collector fills in his/her responses.
X When writing down the answers to the open-ended questions, do not paraphrase what
the respondent is saying but write down the exact words
X Once the survey is complete, hand the respondent information to the agency and the
upcoming public forum and give them the token of thanks. Have them sign a sheet of
paper saying that they received the thank-you gift.
C) Summarizing and Disseminating The Needs Assessment Survey Results
A) Summarizing the Data
To compute the results of the survey, you will likely have to use a computer database or
computer-analysis program such as ACCESS or SPSS. For this particular survey design we are
comparing importance and satisfaction of each item. By using a program like SPSS, we can
calculate cross-tabulations to see what percentage of respondents fit into the four possible
30
|
|
4.5 Page 35 |
▲back to top |
categories with respect to the survey items. Of the four possible combinations of survey
responses, the two that should be your focus are:
X Items ranked as important/very important and unsatisfied/very unsatisfied
(a concern)
X Items ranked as important/very important and satisfied/very satisfied (a strength)
The next step in summarizing the data is to prepare a one page summary of the main strengths
and concerns identified by the survey- respondents. This usually is in the form a “top five” list of
concerns and strengths. This one page summary will be what you may present to the needs
assessment committee as the main findings and it will also be part of the agenda for the public
forum.
B) The Public Forums
The public forum, unlike the focus groups is open to anyone who is interested in attending. The
purposes for the public forums are to: (a) discuss the major issues brought forth by the
respondents in needs assessment survey and (b) provide public forum participants the
opportunity to discuss possible solutions to the issues of concern.
a) Planning the Public Forum:
X Find a location, such as public library or a local church that is accessible and
centrally located in the community.
X Reserve the location for the dates and required time (e.g. two suitable dates and 3
hours each, usually in the early morning or evening)
Prepare a public forum flyer to be distributed during data collection, via mailing
lists etc.
X Try to contact as many people as possible via telephone, especially those who
participated in the focus groups or in the data collection.
X Advertise the public forums on community bulletin boards, other agencies,
local newspapers and radio stations.
X Make food arrangements.
b) Resources Needed for the Public Forum
1. A summary sheet for the participants outlining the major issues brought up in
the survey.
31
|
|
4.6 Page 36 |
▲back to top |
2. Overhead projector, blank transparencies, and markers
3. Copies of the survey
4. Name tags and a sign in sheet
5. Poster paper and markers to record suggestions made by participants
6. Refreshments
C) Conducting the public forum:
1. Registration and Refreshments
2. Introductions: Call the group to order and introduce the facilitators and other
members of the needs assessment committee present. Describe the purpose of
the public forum and phases already completed. Present a summary of the results: This
is usually in the form of the top 5 strengths and concerns of the community
3.Discuss the strengths of the community and how to reinforce them -write down ideas
on the poster paper
4.Discuss the dimensions of concerns of the community and possible solutions -
write down the ideas on the poster paper
5.If the group is large enough, you can break up into several sub-groups and
tackle individual areas - its dimensions and possible alternative solutions
Once they have completed the group discussions, the participants should come
back into the large group and discuss the solutions to the problems they
discussed.
6. Let the group know what the next step will be. The agency will take their ideas
and start to plan to implement or further discuss the solutions.
7. Wrap-up by thanking all of the participants and volunteers. If possible, you can also
thank your participants by holding a raffle for a door prize or sending them a thank you
card.
How to get a discussion started...
Here are some questions that you can ask your group:
1. Why does this issue represent a problem?
2. How are you as an individual affected by this problem?
3. What can be done to address this problem?
4. What have other communities done to deal with this problem?
32
|
|
4.7 Page 37 |
▲back to top |
D) Sharing Reports / Results through Public Forum:
a) Writing the Final Report
An overall report of the needs assessment findings is necessary in order to provide written
proof that an assessment was carried out and the report can serve to answer any questions
regarding the process or findings of the needs assessment. Following is the outline of the
final report and based on this a person can prepare the final report:
X Executive Summary: This is a short version of the overall report that includes the
purpose of the needs assessment; a very brief description of what each phase
involved, the results, and the conclusions (1 page).
X Chronology of Events: From the beginning of the meetings to the development of
the final report (1 page).
X Brief Agency History (1 page)
X Description of Current Study: This page details the purpose and steps involved
(1page).
X Participant Profile: This page includes graphs and tables describing the sample
that you surveyed (e.g. gender, ethnicity, level of education, age, number of years
living in the community)
X Brief Report: List the top 5-10 concerns and strengths identified by residents in
the survey (1 page)
X Open-Ended Survey Responses: If any qualitative questions were included in the
survey, you can include a sample of responses on this page
X Community Forum Discussion: This is a summary of issues discussed at the public
forums. This section can be divided into the separate issues discussed. For
example:
X Issue: Community Safety
X Dimension of the Issue: What participants had to say about the issue
X Suggestions for Action: Participant suggestions on how to realistically
deal with issue
X Recommendations: These recommendations need to be feasible and realistic
because the stakeholders will often dismiss any recommendations that require
major programmatic changes.
33
|
|
4.8 Page 38 |
▲back to top |
Once the report is completed we recommend to:
1. Conduct planning sessions with all interested partners to discuss the needs
assessment process and results
2. Disseminate the report to all who could benefit or might address the issues
discussed such as an advisory board, block clubs, CAPS and other grassroots
organizations
3. Provide assistance in planning and action-taking
Review
Steps for Conducting an Assessment
Following are the various steps for conducting an assessment:
1. Form a Steering Committee
2. What need(s)/issue(s) are you addressing?
3. Determine the community you are assessing.
4. Determine assessment tool
5. Develop a plan (who, what, when, where, how).
6. Implement the assessment tool (see next page)
7. Analyze the results
8. Report the results
9. Implement or instigate follow-through
Presenting the Data
1. Clear and Concise
2. Combine numbers with text and graphics
3. Focus on most important findings
4. Don't try to put too much in it
34
|
|
4.9 Page 39 |
▲back to top |
Develop an Assessment Tool:
1) Develop a survey
1. Determine need/issue to be assessed
2. Who is the target audience?
3. How is survey going to be administered
4. Develop survey with no more than 10 questions
2) Develop a Data Profile
1. Determine need/issue to be assessed
2. Who is the target audience?
3. How is the data going to be used?
4. Develop a data profile with no more than 10 items.
We can also include several open-ended questions within the survey. This qualitative
component allows the respondent to voice their opinion and to add what they feel is
important in their community. These questions could include:
X What are 3 things you like most about living in your community?
X What are 3 things you would like to improve about your community?
X What is an effective way to get residents involved in their community?
The survey consists of items that have two corresponding questions. One question asks about
that person's opinion on the importance of that issue and the other asks about the person's
satisfaction regarding the community's efforts to address the issue. When respondents are
asked to rate the satisfaction and importance for each item, the strengths and concerns of the
community can be identified. The items that are rated high in importance and low in
satisfaction represent a concern in the community. Items that are rated high in importance
and high in satisfaction indicate strength in the community.
35
|
|
4.10 Page 40 |
▲back to top |
For example
How important is this
to you...
Availability of good grocery- stores
Availability- of affordable daycare centers
1 234
1 234
The above scale is:
How satisfied
are you with
12
12
34
34
Please circle the appropriate score using the following scale:
1 = completely unimportant
2 = unimportant
3 = important
4 = very important
1 = completely unsatisfied
2 = unsatisfied
3 = satisfied
4 = very satisfied
36
|
|
5 Pages 41-50 |
▲back to top |
|
|
5.1 Page 41 |
▲back to top |
CONCLUSION
This module has attempted to provide information on the most commonly employed
techniques for gathering primary data from community members. It is hoped that the
extensive discussion of each method's purpose, procedures, advantages and disadvantages,
will serve as a guide in the selection of an appropriate technique for the collection of first-hand
information on local needs. For most needs assessment activities, these techniques can be
successfully used in concert with one another. For example, the "key informant" and "nominal
group" approaches can be employed to generate the types of questions to be included in a
formal survey of the community. Of course, the approach selected will ultimately be based on
the nature and extent of information needed by your group to assess the "current situation,"
as well as the level of resources available for securing such information. Nonetheless, with a
better understanding of primary data collection techniques, it is likely that your group will
select a strategy that will work for you.
37
|
|
5.2 Page 42 |
▲back to top |
ANNEXURES
|
|
5.3 Page 43 |
▲back to top |
CNA
Household Format
[Put ( ) mark on the appropriate answer / write if necessary]
Schedule No :
Date of visit: __________
1 Name of village
3
HH No.
2
Police Station
4
Name of the
head of the HH
5 Type of family
7
Caste
Nuclear /Joint
SC/ ST/ Gen
6
Religion
Hindu / Muslim / Others
HOUSING CONDITION
8
Type of
Construction
Kutcha / Semi- Pucca 8.1
/ Pucca
Lighting
Adequate / Inadequate
8.2 Ventilation in
living rooms
(door+ window +
floor area for
good ventilation)
Adequate / Inadequate
9.
Dampness during
rainy season
Present / Absent
10 Floor spare per
person in sq.ft.
Below 50 50 – 100
100+
11 Main Source of
water supply for
11.1
Drinking
Tubewell / Tap / River /
Well / Ponds
11.2 Domestic Purpose
Tubewell / Tap / River /
Well / Ponds
12
Drainage
Absent / Present
12.1
If present
Adequate / Inadequate
13 Collection & Refuse
14
Sanitary / Insanitary
disposal
14.1 If present, type
Sanitary / Insanitary 15
Latrine
Present / Absent
Insects (breeding places in and around
the House)
15.1 Mosquitoes
Present / Absent
15.2
Houseflies
Present / Absent
39
|
|
5.4 Page 44 |
▲back to top |
16 Live Stock (specify)
17
Cattle shed
Present / Absent
17.1
If present
Attached to living room /
Detached
18 Total Family Income 1000 / 1001-2000 /
(monthly)
2001-3000 / 3001 & above
18.1 Whether the HH
comes under BPL
criteria?
Yes / no
VITAL EVENTS (in the last 12 months from the date of survey)
19
Live births
Yes / No
19.1 If yes, no. of births
and sex (with date
of birth)
19.2 Place of birth
a) Institution (b) Home 20
Still births
Yes / No
20.1 (If yes, specify
numbers)
21 Deaths (during
the last one
year)
Yes / No
21.1
If yes, number of deaths
__________
SN
Name of the deceased
Age
Sex
Date of death
Cause of death
a
b
Source of Health Care
22.1
Nil
H.C.
G.P. (Allp)
Curative Services :
Hospital Special clinics
Unqualified OTC Others (specify)
22.2
Nil
H.C.
MCH including immunization :
G.P. (Allp) Hospital Special clinics Unqualified OTC Others (specify)
40
|
|
5.5 Page 45 |
▲back to top |
Household Listing
List of HH members
Sl
no
Name
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Age
Relationship to
Sex
H of HH
M/F
Literacy
status
Marital status Pregnancy Status
married/unmarried 1 Yes 2 NO
Column # 6 literacy), 1- illiterate, 2- just literate, 3-primary 4-HS College/Univ5 Others (specify)
Column #7 marital status) 1- married 2- unmarried 3- widowed 4 -separated 5 -divorcee
41
|
|
5.6 Page 46 |
▲back to top |
All married women
Name
Husbands
Name
Address
(Land
Mark)
Age at
Marriage
Age
at
Gauna
Family
Planning
Status:Y/N
If Y go to
FP Sec
Pregnancy
Status:Y/N
If Y Go To
Next Sec
RTI/STI:
Y/N.
Gravida
No.
of
surviving
children
ANC:
Y/N.
42
|
|
5.7 Page 47 |
▲back to top |
Pregnancy
Last Menstrual period
Month of pregnancy
Number of ANC
Number of TT(booster) taken
Number of IFA consumed
Risk factors? If Any
Any complications?
Whether Referred?
What was the outcome of delivery?
Type of Delivery?
Place of Delivery?
Who assisted you during delivery?
First preganancyAbortion, Caesarians, Still birth, Neonatal
death, Marrying below 18,Age of mother more than 35,Short
stature, HIV/AIDS, RTI/HIV/AIDS, Twins, Fits, DM, HT,
Genetic Disorder, Smoking/Alcohol, Cardiac Disorder,
Retained placenta, Prolonged labor any other,
Fever, Bleeding Pain Abdomen Burning Micturation Per Vaginal
leaking Breathing Difficulty Severe Headache Jaundice
Yes/No
Abortion Still birth Live birth
Normal Caesarian Forceps
Home Institution
Dai
TBA
Nurse
ANM
Doctor
Lady health worker
43
|
|
5.8 Page 48 |
▲back to top |
Child Health
Serial
No.
from
HH
Age< Name
2
of
years child
Age
(DOB)
Sex
Mother's
name
I
DPT
II
III
OPV
Measles
I
II
III
BCG
Any complications
Whether referred?
Post Natal Care
1st visit (within 24 hours)..........................1
2nd visit (within 7 days)............................2
3rd visit ...................................................3
Yes...........................................................1
No............................................................2
44
|
|
5.9 Page 49 |
▲back to top |
Family Planning
Whether you are using any FP method?
If yes, then type of FP method.
Yes----------------------------1
No-----------------------------2
Permanent method-----------------1
Temporary method-----------------2
None--------------------------------------3
If temporary method then, type.
Condom---------------------------------1
IUD----------------------------------------2
Pills----------------------------------------3
Injectables------------------------------4
Traditional Method-----------------5
None--------------------------------------6
Are you currently pregnant?
Age of last child in completed years.
YYeess--------------------------------------------------11
No-----------------------------2
Whether any death occurred in last
one year in your locality?
Use of temporary FP Methods
(To be asked to all respondent)
Question
Number of pregnancies (Check with 2.7)
Number of living children
Have you ever used any temporary FP
method to prevent / delay pregnancy?
If yes, when did you use any temporary
FP method?
Yes----------------------------1
No-----------------------------2
Code
Yes................................1 No...............................2
Before 1’st pregnancy..................1
After 1’st child............................2
45
|
|
5.10 Page 50 |
▲back to top |
Method
Ever use
Duration
(In months)
Which method did you use? (Probe to all)
After your marriage till now, have you
ever desired to use FP method?
If yes why?
Pill................................ Y / N ...................................
CuT/IUD...................... Y / N ...................................
Condom/Nirodh..............Y / N Periodic abstinence
Safe period................... Y / N ..................................
Withdrawal................... Y / N ..................................
Other Method
Y / N .................................
(Specify)
Yes....................................1
No.....................................2
Check currently pregnant
Yes....................................1
No.....................................2
None
Pill
If No Which family planning method are you
or your husband currently using to
prevent / delay pregnancy?
CuT/IUD
Condom/Nirodh
Sterilization
Rhythm/periodic abstinence
Other Method (Specify)
Do you have any problems while using
this method?
Bleeding
Spotting
Pain in lower abdomen
White discharge
Nausea
Headache
Weight gain
Backache
Other (Specify)
None
46
|
|
6 Pages 51-60 |
▲back to top |
|
|
6.1 Page 51 |
▲back to top |
Are you currently
suffering from any
of the following
symptom? (Inquire
for all complaints)
How long have you
been suffering from
these symptoms?
After how many days/
month did go for
treatment?
Place of treatment
Burning sensation/
Pain while passing
the urine
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Desire for frequent
micturition
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
White discharge
from vagina
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Itching in private
parts
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
47
|
|
6.2 Page 52 |
▲back to top |
Are you currently
suffering from any
of the following
symptom? (Inquire
for all complaints)
How long have you
been suffering from
these symptoms?
After how many days/
month did go for
treatment?
Place of treatment
Pain in lower
abdominal area
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Pain during
intercourse
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Excessive bleeding
and pain during
menstruation
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Days
Months
Low back pain
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Self.........................1
ANM.......................2
MPW.......................3
CO.........................4
Dai.........................5
Others
.......5
(Specify)
Self.........................1
ANM.......................2
MPW.......................3
CO.........................4
Dai.........................5
Others
.......5
(Specify)
48
|
|
6.3 Page 53 |
▲back to top |
Did you suffer from any illness during the past one year?
UTI, RTI and STD (To be asked to all respondent)
Are you
currently
suffering from
any of the
following
symptom?
How long
have
you been
suffering
from these
symptoms?
After how
many
days/month
did
go for
treatment?
Who told
you to go
for
treatment
of this
symptom?
Place of treatment
Painful or
painless ulcer
in private parts
Yes.......................1
No........................2*
Pain and
swelling in
inguinal area
(lymph node
enlargement)
Yes.......................1
No........................2*
Purulent discharge
per vagina
Yes.......................1
No........................2*
Days
Months
(Enquire for all complaints)
Days
Self................1
ANM.............2
Months
MPW.............3
CO................4
Did not go
..............9*
Dai................5
Other
..6
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital........1
ANM/ MPW............2
Pvt. Hospital..........3
Traditional
Practitioner...........4
Other
.......5
(Specify)
Days
Months
Days
Months
Did not go
..............9*
Self................1
ANM.............2
MPW.............3
CO................4
Dai................5
Other
..6
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital........1
ANM/ MPW............2
Pvt. Hospital..........3
Traditional
Practitioner...........4
Other
.......5
(Specify)
Days
Months
Days
Months
Did not go
..............9*
Self................1
ANM.............2
MPW.............3
CO................4
Dai................5
Other
..6
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital........1
ANM/ MPW............2
Pvt. Hospital..........3
Traditional
Practitioner...........4
Other
.......5
(Specify)
49
|
|
6.4 Page 54 |
▲back to top |
Are you
currently
suffering from
any of the
following
symptom?
Foul smelling
discharge per vagina
Yes.......................1
No........................2*
How long
have
you been
suffering
from these
symptoms?
After how
many
days/month
did
go for
treatment?
Who told
you to go
for
treatment
of this
symptom?
Place of treatment
Days
Months
(Enquire for all complaints)
Days
Self................1
ANM.............2
Months
MPW.............3
CO................4
Did not go
..............9*
Dai................5
Other
..6
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital........1
ANM/ MPW............2
Pvt. Hospital..........3
Traditional
Practitioner...........4
Other
.......5
(Specify)
50
|
|
6.5 Page 55 |
▲back to top |
General Morbidity (To be asked each HH member)-
to be added to HH listing table
Sr.
Name of disease
1.
T.B.
2.
Fever & cough for
more than 15 days
3.
Loss of weight
4.
Pain in chet
5.
Loss of appetite
6.
Malaria
7.
Pneumonia
8.
Typhoid
9.
Jaundice
10.
Other (Specify)
Duration of
Y/N illness in days
Treatment Taken
Medic Tradit Home Other None
al
ional
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Are you currently
suffering from any of
the following symptom?
(Inquire for all
complaints)
How long have you
been suffering from
these symptoms?
After how many days/month
did go for treatment?
Place of treatment
Burning Sensation / Pain Days
while passing the urine
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
51
|
|
6.6 Page 56 |
▲back to top |
Are you currently
suffering from any of
the following symptom?
(Inquire for all
complaints)
How long have you
been suffering from
these symptoms?
After how many days/month
did go for treatment?
Place of treatment
Desire for frequent
micturation
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
White discharge per
vagina
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Itching in private
part
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Pain in lower
abdominal
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
*
Did not go..........9
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
Govt. Hospital...........1
ANM/ MPW...............2
Pvt. Hospital.............3
Traditional Practitioner.......4
Others
.........5
(Specify)
52
|
|
6.7 Page 57 |
▲back to top |
Are you currently
suffering from any of
the following symptom?
(Inquire for all
complaints)
How long have you
been suffering from
these symptoms?
After how many days/
month did go for
treatment?
Place of treatment
Pain during
intercourse
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Days
Months
Excessive bleeding
and pain during
menstruation
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Days
Months
Low back pain
Days
Yes.......................1
Months
45 No........................2
Foul smelling
discharge per vagina
Days
Yes.......................1
No........................2
Months
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
*
Did not go..........9
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Days
Months
Did not go..........9*
Self.........................1
ANM.......................2
MPW.......................3
CO.........................4
Dai.........................5
Others
.......5
(Specify)
Self.........................1
ANM.......................2
MPW.......................3
CO.........................4
Dai.........................5
Others
.......5
(Specify)
Self.........................1
ANM.......................2
MPW.......................3
CO.........................4
Dai.........................5
Others
.......5
(Specify)
Self.........................1
ANM.......................2
MPW.......................3
CO.........................4
Dai.........................5
Others
.......5
(Specify)
53
|
|
6.8 Page 58 |
▲back to top |
Gender Violence (To be asked to all respondent)
Have you been beaten or mistreated
physically by any person from your family?
How often have you been beaten or mistreated
physically in the last 12 months?
Who has beaten you or mistreated you
physically? (Specify the relation)
Infertility (Do not ask if couple has children)
Are you having infertility (childlessness)?
If yes then since how long you are staying with your husband?
Have you sought treatment for this?
If yes, then source of treatment?
After occurrence of this symptom did your husband
go for check-up?
Did your husband take treatment at the same time when you
took treatment?
Yes/No
Once/ A few times/
Many times/ Not beaten
Yes/ No
Yes/ No
Government/Private/ Others
Yes/ No
Yes/ No
54
|
|
6.9 Page 59 |
▲back to top |
QUESTIONNAIRE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Team No.: ........................... Investigator Name: ................................ Date of Visit.........................................
Name of Village:...................................................... Gram Panchayat:..............................................................
Block:...................................................................... District:...........................................................................
Population: .................................................... Male: ..................................... Female: ....................................
No of Households: .............................................. No of Households BPL.........................................................
Area of the village (in hectares): .........................................Cultivable Land ....................................................
Main source of Irrigation in the village:
Rainwater Tank/ Pond
Stream/
River
Canal
Well
Tube well
Others
(Specify)
01
02
03
04
05
06
Type of drainage facility in the village
Tap water Tank/ Pond
Stream/
River
Canal
Well
Tube well
Others
(Specify)
01
02
03
04
05
06
Type of drainage facility in the village
No Facility
Underground drainage
Open drainage
01
Collection and Refuse Deposal
No Facility/ Thrown Indiscriminately
02
03
Pit Covered
Pit uncovered
Heap
01
02
Distance to the nearest town (In Kilometers):
<5
<10
<20
Distance to the district headquarters (In Kilometers):
<5
<10
<20
Distance to the village from all-weather road: (In Kilometers)
<5
<10
<20
03
<50
<50
<50
04
<100
<100
<100
55
|
|
6.10 Page 60 |
▲back to top |
Village Electrification:
Not electrified
01
Electrified but irregular supply
02
Electrified and regular supply
03
Education Facilities
Primary
school
Middle
school
Secondary
school
Higher secondary
school
College
No
facilities
01
02
03
04
05
Distance to the nearest educational facility available (In Kilometers):
<5
<10
<20
<50
Health Facilities
Sub centre
PHC
CHC/rural
hospital
Government Government
dispensary
hospital
Private
clinic
06
<100
Private
hospital
01
02
03
04
05
06
Distance to the nearest health facilities
<5
<10
<20
Distance to the nearest health facilities
Post office
Telegraph office
01
02
Distance to the nearest facility available (in Kilometers):
<5
<10
<20
<50
<100
<5
<10
<20
<50
<100
<50
STD booth
03
<5
<10
<20
<50
<100
07
<100
Bank
04
<5
<10
<20
<50
<100
Availability of health provider in the village:
Private
doctor
Visiting
doctor
Village
health
guide
Tradititional
birth
attendant
Anganwadi
Worker
Asha
Worker
Community
Health
Volunteers
Maobile
health
unit/visit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
56
|
|
7 Pages 61-70 |
▲back to top |
|
|
7.1 Page 61 |
▲back to top |
Other facilities Available in the village:
1
Other facilities Available in the village:
2
cooperative society(CS) Credit/Agricultural
3
SHG
4
Weekly market
5
Fair price saop
6
Pharmacy/medical shop
7
Mahila mandal/
8
Anganwadi centre
9
Youth club
10
Community centre
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Any epidemic in the village during the last one year:
1
2
3<
Number of health camps in the last one year
1
2
3<
IEC activities for health and family welfare during the last one year:
Film shows
Exhibition
Drama/song/
Dance performance
Puppet show
1
2
3
4
Group meeting
5
Persons providing information for the village schedule (Record all the sources):
Sarpanch
Patwari
Gram
Sevak
School
teacher
Health
personnel
1
2
3
4
5
Others(specify)
6
57
|
|
7.2 Page 62 |
▲back to top |
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is a label given to a growing family of participatory approaches
and methods that emphasize local knowledge and enable local people to make their own
appraisal, analysis, and plans. PRA uses group animation and exercises to facilitate information
sharing, analysis, and action among stakeholders. Although originally developed for use in rural
areas, PRA has been employed successfully in a variety of settings. The purpose of PRA is to
enable development practitioners, government officials, and local people to work together to
plan context appropriate programs.
Participatory rural appraisal evolved from rapid rural appraisal, a set of informal techniques used
by development practitioners in rural areas to collect and analyze data. Rapid rural appraisal
developed in the 1970s and 1980s in response to the perceived problems of outsiders missing or
mis-communicating with local people in the context of development work. In PRA, local people
undertake data collection and analysis, with outsiders facilitating rather than controlling. PRA is
an approach for shared learning between local people and outsiders, but the term is somewhat
misleading. PRA techniques are equally applicable in urban settings and are not limited to
assessment only. The same approach can be employed at every stage of the project cycle and in
country economic and sector work.
Thus Participatory Rural Appraisal is a:
X Methodology used to understand community.
X Process of involvement with rural people and learning from their indigenous
knowledge, and
X The community assists with their knowledge in investigating, analyzing and evaluating
the existing problems and opportunities.
Purpose of PRA:
Participatory Rural Appraisal is used:
X To understand the local environment through community criteria, choices and
priorities
X To learn people's indigenous technologies
X To develop a self-critical analysis and direct contact with communities and learn their
local needs.
Key Tenets of PRA:
X Participation. Local people's input into PRA activities is essential to its value as a
research and planning method and as a means for diffusing the participatory approach
58
|
|
7.3 Page 63 |
▲back to top |
to development.
X Teamwork. To the extent that the validity of PRA data relies on informal interaction
and brainstorming among those involved, it is best done by a team that includes local
people with perspective and knowledge of the area's conditions, traditions, and social
structure and either nationals or expatriates with a complementary mix of disciplinary
backgrounds and experience. A well balanced team will represent the diversity of
socioeconomic, cultural, gender, and generational perspectives.
X Flexibility. PRA does not provide blueprints for its practitioners. The combination of
techniques that is appropriate in a particular development context will be determined
by such variables as the size and skill mix of the PRA team, the time and resources
available, and the topic and location of the work.
X Optimal ignorance. To be efficient in terms of both time and money, PRA work intends
to gather just enough information to make the necessary recommendations and
decisions.
X Triangulation. PRA works with qualitative data. To ensure that information is valid and
reliable, PRA teams follow the rule of thumb that at least three sources must be
consulted or techniques must be used to investigate the same topics.
Advantages of PRA:
PRA is also useful in understanding the various dimensions of a particular community through:
X Collection of primary (first hand) information
X Preparation of maps
X Collection of baseline information
X Listing of priorities
X Involvement of different groups of the community in a participatory process
Limitations:
Following are the limitations of the PRA:
X If change in behavior and attitude do not occur, it may lead to a negative outcome
X If proper participation is lacking, results may be distorted
X It can be used for a very limited number of health issues
PRA Tools:
PRA is an exercise in communication and transfer of knowledge. Regardless of whether it is
carried out as part of project identification or appraisal or as part of country economic and sector
59
|
|
7.4 Page 64 |
▲back to top |
work, the learning-by-doing and teamwork spirit of PRA requires transparent procedures. For
that reason, a series of open meetings (an initial open meeting, final meeting, and follow-up
meeting) generally frame the sequence of PRA activities. Other tools common in PRA are:
X Semi-structured interviewing
X Focus group discussions
X Preference ranking
X Mapping and modeling
X Seasonal and historical diagramming
Organizing PRA:
A typical PRA activity involves a team of people working for two to three weeks on workshop
discussions, analyses, and fieldwork. Several organizational aspects should be considered:
X Logistical arrangements should consider nearby accommodations, arrangements for
lunch for fieldwork days, sufficient vehicles, portable computers, and funds to
purchase refreshments for community meetings during the PRA, and supplies such as
flip chart paper and markers.
X Training of team members may be required, particularly if the PRA has the second
objective of training in addition to data collection.
X PRA results are influenced by the length of time allowed to conduct the exercise,
scheduling and assignment of report writing, and critical analysis of all data,
conclusions, and recommendations.
X A PRA covering relatively few topics in a small area (perhaps two to four communities)
should take between ten days and four weeks, but a PRA with a wider scope over a
larger area can take several months. Allow five days for an introductory workshop if
training is involved.
X Reports are best written immediately after the fieldwork period, based on notes from
PRA team members. A preliminary report should be available within a week or so of the
fieldwork, and the final report should be made available to all participants and the local
institutions that were involved.
Techniques of PRA:
PRA techniques can be combined in a number of different ways, depending on the topic under
investigation. Some general rules of thumb, however, are useful. Mapping and modeling are
60
|
|
7.5 Page 65 |
▲back to top |
good techniques to start with because they involve several people, stimulate much discussion
and enthusiasm, provide the PRA team with an overview of the area, and deal with non-
controversial information. Maps and models may lead to transect walks, perhaps accompanied
by some of the people who have constructed the map. Wealth ranking is best done later in a PRA,
once a degree of rapport has been established, given the relative sensitivity of this information.
The current situation can be shown using maps and models, but subsequent seasonal and
historical diagramming exercises can reveal changes and trends, throughout a single year or over
several years. Preference ranking is a good icebreaker at the beginning of a group interview and
helps focus the discussion. Later, individual interviews can follow up on the different preferences
among the group members and the reasons for these differences.
Following are the major techniques of the PRA tools used for participatory planning for health
and other developmental programs and projects:
a) Participatory Mapping/Modeling
This method involves the construction of a simple map of the target area using rangoli powders
or chalk on the ground or on a cement floor for a basic understanding of the layout and main
features of the land, its infrastructure and resources.
Situation where it can be applied:
X Participatory maps are useful in identifying the status of land and animal holdings of
different households.
X It helps in identifying beneficiaries of various developmental projects.
X Mapping also helps identify other items like dry land/irrigated land, forest lands,
rivers, tanks, nallahs and other water resources, besides endemic prone zones, if any.
b) Transect walk
X A transect walk is an exploratory walk undertaken by the team along with the local
community members
X It helps to observe, discuss and understand local matters with them, especially the
variations and differences that exist in a particular area.
Situations where it can be applied:
X Transects are used as pre-requisites for mapping, marking of different areas into
ecological and productivity zones, land use mapping, and locating indigenous
technologies etc.
61
|
|
7.6 Page 66 |
▲back to top |
X It is also used to locate areas in the village, which need treatment/development and are
useful in the areas of health, agriculture and allied activities.
c) Time Line
X Time Line refers to a calendar of historical events (from as far back as one can
remember, up to the present time)
X It should focus in the life of a person, community, village, area or institution,
depending upon what we wish to apply it to.
X Such a calendar can form the basis of helping us trace trends through history and study
the nature of change.
Situation where it can be applied:
X The time line exercise can be used to trace the background of a village or the evolution
of specific activities or programs such as health, nutrition, social amenities, animal
husbandry, agricultural programs and other economic activities.
d) Matrix Ranking
Matrix ranking is a method used to reveal a community's preference and attitude towards a
particular topic of interest.
Situation where it can be applied:
X It can be used to study a range of subjects like vulnerable groups, traditional practices,
soil types, crops and crop varieties, trees, etc.
e) Seasonality
Seasonality is an important and useful exercise used to determine seasonal patterns as
understood and practiced in rural communities.
Situation where it can be applied:
X It has a wide range of applications such as determining the occurrence of various
diseases, rainfall, agriculture operations, employment, credit and fodder availability,
grazing patterns, milk yields, breeding periods, animal and human health and disease.
62
|
|
7.7 Page 67 |
▲back to top |
f) Venn diagram
The Venn diagram method involves the use of an effective diagrammatic representation, which
can be used to get the community members' perspective on the impact and influence of local and
outside institutions in a particular area.
Preparing a Venn diagram
X Cut paper disc of different sizes, before visiting the site
X Carry large paper sheets and sketch pens
X Build rapport with the locals and select a place to sit down
X Invite people from all sections to participate in the discussion
X Initiate discussions
X Ask the people to make a list of all institutions in the area, including governmental and
non-governmental organizations
X Ask them to choose a larger disc for an important institution and a smaller one for the
less important one (as they feel), and write the names of the institutions on the paper
discs
X Then, ask them to draw a circle on the large paper sheet representing their community
and paste the paper discs (with names of institutions written on them), around the
circle. The paper discs may or may not overlap the circle. The distance of the paper
discs from the centre of the circle will represent the intensity of involvement of that
particular institution with the community in question.
X After a second round of discussion, allow the people to change the positions of the
paper discs if they wish. A complex diagram combining the pencil drawn circle at the
center and the many paper discs placed around it, will result
X From the diagram try to understand the relationship of these organizations to the
community, for example, a larger paper disc marked “electricity” placed at a distance
from the “community” circle, would mean that while the people are aware how useful
electricity could be in their lives, it does not concern them immediately as it is anyway,
not available to them in that area.
Record the findings.
g) Wealth ranking
X Wealth ranking is a method by which members of a community jointly determine the
relative wealth of all its members by taking into account all assets, sources of income
and liabilities of an individual family.
63
|
|
7.8 Page 68 |
▲back to top |
X In community wealth ranking the criteria for rich and poor is determined by the
members themselves, which may interestingly vary from land holdings to the member
of chronic patients in the family.
Situation where it can be applied:
X Rural development programs
X Agriculture development programs for preparing credit plans etc.
X Family distribution patterns
X Identification of community matrix
X Village natural resource management plan
X Understanding potential conflicts between various groups in the community in
identifying priorities and implementing plans
X Development of a common frame of reference for implementation, management,
developing, monitoring and evaluating of the programs.
h) Community Self-Diagnosis
X The tools described above are primarily meant to be used by outsiders working
within the Community
X The same tools can also be used with some modifications by the community itself
In the field of community health, emphasis is shifting towards community self
diagnosis
X Tools such a diagnosis, should be developed keeping in mind that community
volunteers should be able to use them
X It is important that community is involved at the planning stage itself for their capacity
development and participation in the community diagnosis
X It is important to entrust the jobs to Panchayats, Mahila Mandals and Youth Groups for
collecting information
X If the analysis is not complex, the same people can help analyze the data as well
Community Self Diagnosis approach or involving communities in the process of
diagnosis is further helpful because:
X Relevant data can be collected from respondents without hesitation or hostility
from their side
64
|
|
7.9 Page 69 |
▲back to top |
X Felt needs of the people can be easily assessed
X Community awareness towards health activities can be created
X Resources available in the community, for facilitating health programming can be
identified
X Suitable community members can be identified to assist in various programs The
guidance of community leaders is often most beneficial for collection of information
and proper planning
65
|
|
7.10 Page 70 |
▲back to top |
Sharma Aparna, Lanum Mindy, and Suarez-Balcazar Yolanda. 2000. A
Community Needs Assessment Guide: Chicago: Centre for Urban Research
and Learning and Department of Psychology, Loyala University.
Butler, Lorna Michael and Robert E. Howell 1980. Coping with Growth:
Community Needs Assessment Techniques. Corvallis, OR: Western Rural
Development Center.
Carter, Keith A., Gerald E. Klonglan, Frank A. Fear, Richard D. Warren,
Christopher E. Marshall, Rodney F. Ganey, and Erik R. Andersen 1977. Social
Indicators for Rural Development: Descriptive Social Reporting. Ames, IA:
Conducting A Community Needs Assessment: Department of Sociology and
Anthropology, Iowa State University, Report No. 141.
Pandey Shruti, Visiting Faculty, MSW, Patna University (2008), Class Notes on
Project Management.
Keith A. Carter and Lionel J. Beaulieu.1992. Conducting A Community Needs
Assessment: Primary Data Collection Techniques. Florida: Cooperative
Extension Service.
www.nwu.edu
|
|
8 Pages 71-80 |
▲back to top |
