GIS approach to the determination of catchment populations around local health facilities in developing countries

In IDL-1495

Delphi panel method and its possible role in district level health planning : a study in rural Kenya

The Delphi technique, a method so far largely applied to technological forecasting and long-range planning, was tested as a component in the development of a low-cost health information system in Machakos District, Kenya. Twenty six panel members were selected from twelve villages in a subdistrict with a population of 160,000. Twelve interviewers were trained to assist the members, most of whom were illiterate, in completing questionnaires on issues such as common illnesses in the area in different age-groups and on priority interventions. Except for minor differences on ranking of most common illnesses, the Delphi study provided results comparable with a cross-sectional household interview survey simultaneously undertaken in the area. The study took about three weeks to complete at a cost of US$ 3500 - 4000. The potential usefulness of Delphi panel studies in Third World planning is discussed

Delphi panel method for generating health information

Also published in Health policy & planning, volume 8, issue 4, 1993, pp. 405-412The Delphi panel technique was tested as a component of health information system in 1991 in rural Kenya. Twenty-six panel members were selected from twelve villages in a subdistrict with a population of 160,000. Most of the panelists had poor reading and writing skills, so twelve interviewers were trained to assist them in completing questionnaires on issues such as common illnesses in different age-groups and on priority interventions. Except for minor differences in the ranking of common illnesses, the Delphi study provided results consistent with a household interview survey simultaneously undertaken in the area. The usefulness of Delphi panel studies in African health information systems and their costs when conducted by local staff are discussed

Modelling bias in ranked data from a Delphi study in a rural Kenyan community

The Delphi technique has mainly been applied to technological forecasting and planning. In this case, it was tested in rural Kenya as part of a subdistrict health information system. Questions focused upon perceived main health problems and alternative interventions. Interviewers were used to assist the panel members, most of whom were illiterate villagers. This paper explores a systematic approach for the detection and eventual elimination of possible biases inherent in ranking data involving a Delphi panel of twelve members. The biases were determined using the general linear model. The conclusion is that the degree of bias in a small rural African Delphi panel is insignificant that the Delphi technique can supplement health information generated through clients visiting health facilities, and that Delphi panel information can be obtained at comparatively low cost