[DUPLICATE] Impact of methodological "shortcuts" in conducting public health surveys: results from a vaccination coverage survey.

BACKGROUND: Lack of methodological rigor can cause survey error- leading to biased results and suboptimal public health response. This study focused on the potential impact of 3 methodological shortcuts" pertaining to field surveys: relying on a single source for critical data failing to repeatedly visit households to improve response rates and excluding remote areas. METHODS: In a vaccination coverage survey of young children conducted in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in July 2005 3 sources of vaccination information were used multiple follow-up visits were made and all inhabited areas were included in the sampling frame. Results are calculated with and without these strategies. RESULTS: Most children had at least 2 sources of data/ vaccination coverage estimated from any single source was substantially lower than from all sources combined. Eligibility was ascertained for 79% of households after the initial visit and for 94% of households after follow-up visits/ vaccination coverage r