Mortality and nutrition surveys by Non-Governmental organisations. Perspectives from the CE-DAT database
2007

Strengths and Gaps in NGO Surveys

Sample size: 1329 Commentary Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Degomme Olivier, Guha-Sapir Debarati

Primary Institution: WHO Collaborating Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium

Hypothesis

What are the strengths and weaknesses of NGO surveys based on the CE-DAT database?

Conclusion

NGOs are the primary source of surveys in complex emergencies, but they face challenges in standardization and peer review.

Supporting Evidence

  • CE-DAT database contained information on 1329 nutrition and/or mortality surveys.
  • Over 90% of surveys covered nutritional indicators.
  • NGOs conducted 69% of the surveys in CE-DAT.
  • NGO surveys provide essential contextual information in volatile conditions.
  • Quality of NGO surveys is more advanced for nutrition than for mortality.

Takeaway

This study looks at how well NGOs collect data during crises and suggests ways to make their surveys better.

Methodology

Analysis of records held in the CE-DAT database, which includes surveys from various NGOs.

Potential Biases

Limited peer review may affect the quality and credibility of NGO surveys.

Limitations

Not all surveys conducted in complex emergencies are included in CE-DAT, and the analysis may not be extrapolated to all existing surveys.

Participant Demographics

Surveys from 41 different countries conducted since 2000.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95%

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1742-7622-4-11

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