Approach the Household and

Identify the Respondent

Interview sequence

 Approach the household

 Identify the best respondent

 Obtain informed consent

 Conduct the interview

Interview sequence – Approach the
household

 Pre-arrange the meeting

 Work with a respected local person

 Manage the scene

 There may be many observers
 Seek a quiet place and privacy
Interview sequence – Approach the
household

 Gain trust and cooperation – in order to

obtain complete and accurate data
 Professional dress and ID badge
 Polite and sensitive introduction

 State the purpose of the interview

 Emphasize confidentiality of information

 Understand the project – answer any questions

Interview sequence – Identify the best
respondent

 How to select the respondent(s)

 Person who knows the most – was with the
woman during her illness
 Possible: husband, mother, mother-in-law,

sister, sister-in-law, others

 What if the best respondent is away
 Make an appointment
 May need to go to another village
Interview sequence – Identify the best
respondent(s)

 Multiple respondents may be needed

 For different stages of the illness
 One, best respondent for each illness stage

 Multiple respondents may be a problem

 Persons who know about the illness
 Must agree among themselves on one answer
 Persons who don’t know about the illness
 Seek a private location, ask some to leave,
reschedule the interview
Interview sequence – Conducting the
interview

 Obtain informed consent

 Read the entire consent form
 Complete a separate form for each respondent
 Oral consent – Interviewer signs the form

 Conduct the interview

 We will practice and perfect our technique
soon
Re-arrange the tasks in the order they
will occur

1. Obtain locating information from supervisor

2. Conduct the interview
3. Identify the best respondent(s)
4. Obtain informed consent
5. Introduce yourself to the household
6. Thank the respondents for their participation
Communication issues – Approach the
household

 Approach to household sets the tone

 Professional approach
 Build trust, ensure confidentiality
 Stress importance of information

 Speak with respondent(s) to arrange a good

time and place for interview

Communication issues –Approach to the
respondent

 Positive approach
 “I would like to ask a few questions…”
 Express condolences for the death
 State the purpose of the interview

 Stress confidentiality of the information

 Interviewer should respond to:

 Questions
 Concerns

 Reactions (anger, grief, suspicion)

Communication skills

 Communication methods
 Build rapport
 Same level + eye contact
 Encourage speech, be attentive, do not rush

 Non-judgmental
 Sensitive to respondent’s needs
Sensitivity issues –
Emotional responses to death

 Sadness, tearfulness
 Express sympathy
 Pause till the person regains their composure

 Anger
 At the health program, a relative or neighbor
 Express your understanding (never agree)
 Explain the purpose of MDR is to help the

community overcome problems together

Sensitivity issues –
Emotional responses to death

 Suspicion (of you, the interview, etc.)

 Expressed as anger or refusal to participate
 Approach with a respected community leader
 Explain the purpose of MDR

 You may not be able to do the interview

 Not wanting to answer certain questions

 Painful memories, sensitivity, shame, etc.
 Never demand a response (must consent)

 Discuss many non-responses with supervisor