6-9
Suggestions for gathering community information
There are no set rules or one ‘right’ approach for gathering needed information in
a community. However, several people-centered programs have come up with the
following ideas:
1. Go to people’s homes and get to know them. But do not start by taking a
survey. Information learned through friendly, casual visits is often truer and
more useful. Put the needs and feelings of the people first.
LISTEN,
OFFER
TO HELP,
and then, only after a
relationship of trust and
friendship has been
fromed,
GATHER
INFORMATION.
2. When gathering information, try to find out what problems people feel are
most important or want to solve first. Learn what ideas they have for solving
them.
3. Ask only for information that makes sense (and not simply because you
were told to collect it). Be sure you and the people understand why the
information is needed. For example, be sure parents understand why you weigh
children before you do it.
4. Involve local people in gathering the information. Be sure studies are not of
the people, but by the people. (For simple surveys in which children and non-
literate people can take part, see p. 7-13 and Chapters 24 and 25.)
5. When conducting a survey or community diagnosis, try to avoid taking along
written questionnaires. Avoid writing notes while a person is talking to you.
Listen carefully, remember what you can, and write your notes later. Always
be honest and open about the purpose of your visit.
6. Look for ways of making the survey a learning, exploring experience for those
being questioned. Try to ask questions that not only seek information, but that
also get people thinking and looking at things in new ways.
For example, instead of simply asking, “How many people in your family can
read?” follow up by asking, “What good is it to know how to read and write?”
“Does the school here teach your children what they most need to know?”
“If not, who does?” (For more ideas about this type of question, see Where
There Is No Doctor, p. w10 and w11.)
7. Observe people carefully. You can find out as much by watching the way
people act and do things as you can by asking questions. Learn to look and
listen.
8. Go slowly when giving people advice, especially when it concerns their
attitudes and habits. It is often better to tell a story about how others solved a
similar problem by trying a new way. And set a good example yourself.
Note: Where official records of births and deaths are fairly accurate, these can
also provide important health information without bothering people in their homes.
It is a good idea to compare the deaths in children under five with total deaths.
For example, in one area of the Philippines, a rise in children’s deaths from 35%
to 70% of total deaths between 1975 and 1980 shows that conditions affecting
health are getting worse!