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Defining the survey objectives
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The first essential step is to define the survey objectives; they enable us to know what information we will seek to collect and give meaning to the survey. The first step is to compile a list of questions that we seek to answer: it is from this list that the survey objectives are constructed. This list is prepared following international and national literature research and the experiences and findings of field teams. This is called the survey argument.
The main objective of the survey is usually expressed in a clear key sentence, e.g. “to assess needs for information, education and communication for young people aged 15 to 30 years in region X on AIDS, with the aim of adapting the IEC programme”. In addition, the operational objectives of the survey are similarly stated, which outline the areas where we expect the main results of the survey, for example, “to identify the main reasons that lead to consultations in the health centres” or “to identify risk behaviour (HIV transmission) and enter the profile of respondents that most demonstrate such behaviours. The objectives of the survey are generally articulated in a presentation of the context (geography, demography, politics, society etc.) and on hypotheses, for example, “increased prevalence is due to lack of preventive activities or to activities poorlyEN 12
1A conducted in compliance with the law and respect for the individual. Indeed, all research must be justified (international and local data, epidemiological indicators etc.) and must provide benefits to the population. It is important to ensure that this survey is able to improve the implemented health project or to reduce or eliminate the possible adverse consequences to individuals or groups in the target population. The surveys should result in no personal gain for, or any adverse effect or potential harm to individuals. Such an approach should not undermine the integrity of the individual. The general benefit of a survey being to contribute to improving knowledge and information relating to the defined population. All surveys must provide for individual informed consent. This means that those responsible for the survey are required to clearly present all the aims of and justifications for the data collection to those interviewed. This consent must be obtained early on in the survey. It is free from any coercion whatsoever.
adapted to the difficulties of obtaining condoms or access to sites offering screening”.
It is essential to clearly differentiate the objectives of the KAP survey (strategic and operational value of researched data) from the objectives of the programme to which this survey belongs (relative to the activities to be conducted and the expected results).
Part of the protocol should be reserved for the ethical aspect of the survey, which highlights the fact that it will be
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