A Multicountry Comparison of Three Coverage Evaluation Survey Sampling Methodologies for Neglected Tropical Diseases

Abstract

Coverage evaluation surveys (CESs) are an important complement to routinely reported drug coverage estimates following mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Although the WHO recommends the routine use of CESs, they are rarely implemented. Reasons for this low uptake are multifaceted; one is uncertainty on the best sampling method. We conducted a multicountry study to compare the statistical characteristics, cost, time, and complexity of three commonly used CES sampling methods: the Expanded Program on Immunization's (EPI's) 30 × 7 cluster survey, a stratified design with systematic sampling within strata to enable lot quality assurance sampling (S-LQAS) decision rules, and probability sampling with segmentation (PSS). The three CES methods were used in Burkina Faso, Honduras, Malawi, and Uganda, and results were compared across the country sites. All three CES methods were found to be feasible. The S-LQAS approach took the least amount of time to complete and, consequently, was the least expensive; however, all three methods cost less than $5,000 per district. The PSS design resulted in an unbiased, equalprobability sample of the target populations. By contrast, the EPI approach had inherent bias related to the selection of households. Because of modifications needed to maintain feasibility, the S-LQAS method also resulted in a nonprobability sample with less precision than the other two methods. Given the comparable cost and time of the three sampling methods and the statistical advantages of the PSS method, the PSS method was deemed to be the best for CESs in NTD programs.

Review of the neglected tropical diseases programme implementation during 2012–2019 in the WHO-Eastern Mediterranean Region

“…As such, these data are prone to errors especially where information systems are weak [ 46 ]. WHO develops standardized tools and methodologies to minimize common errors and supports countries in conducting data quality assessments such as coverage evaluation surveys, which can better determine true population coverage [ 47 , 48 ]. As such, the data presented in this review can be used for decision-making [ 49 ].…”

Proxy Responses for Mass Drug Administration Coverage Surveys: The Trends and Biases When Others are Allowed to Respond

“…A full description of the study sites and coverage survey methodologies have been presented elsewhere. 10 The present study is a secondary analysis of the original data, to determine what demographic characteristics affect the probability of a proxy response and to elucidate the relationship between proxy responses and drug coverage estimates.…”

“…Districts in Burkina Faso, Malawi, and Uganda were primarily rural with little seasonal migration and were selected to be as similar as possible with regard to population density, area size, and endemicity of NTDs. 10 The three separate survey methodologies used in each country included: the Expanded Program on Immunization's (EPI) cluster survey methodology, probability proportionate to estimated size sampling using segmentation and enumeration to select households (PSS), and lot quality assurance sampling-this latter method was dropped from the current analysis due to a lack of sufficient household-level data. In both the EPI and PSS methodologies, 30 clusters were chosen from among all villages or census enumeration areas within the district using PSS.…”

“…6 This study takes advantage of data from a multi-country operational research study by Gass et al, aimed at comparing statistical methods for conducting population-based coverage surveys to conduct a secondary analysis assessing the characteristics of proxy responses compared with self-reported responses to questions of drug coverage. 10…”

Évaluation de la couverture thérapeutique de la campagne de traitement de masse contre la filariose lymphatique dans deux districts sanitaires au Burkina Faso

“…Il existe plusieurs manières d'estimer la couverture thérapeutique dans le cadre de la chimiothérapie contre la FL. Parmi les types de couvertures, on distingue la couverture thérapeutique rapportée parles distributeurs communautaires (DC) et celle obtenue par une enquête en population [ 1 , 9 , 14 ]. D'une part, la couverture thérapeutique rapportée désigne la proportion de personnes qui ont ingéré la combinaison de médicaments, sur la population totale vivant dans la zone où le TDM a eu lieu.…”