title: The use of cluster sampling to determine aid needs in Grozny, Chechnya in 1995.
abstract: War broke out in Chechnya in November 1994 following a three-year economic blockade. It caused widespread destruction in the capital Grozny. In April 1995 Medical Relief International--or Merlin, a British medical non-governmental organisation (NGO)--began a programme to provide medical supplies, support health centres, control communicable disease and promote preventive health-care in Grozny. In July 1995 the agency undertook a city-wide needs assessment using a modification of the cluster sampling technique developed by the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. This showed that most people had enough drinking-water, food and fuel but that provision of medical care was inadequate. The survey allowed Merlin to redirect resources earmarked for a clean water programme towards health education and improving primary health-care services. It also showed that rapid assessment by a statistically satisfactory method is both possible and useful in such a situation.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Drysdale
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howarth
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Healing
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D017517:Commonwealth of Independent States; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012066:Relief Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014857:Warfare