A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in Greece
Abstract Background Understanding the burden of common mental health disorders, such as depressive disorder, is the first step in strengthening prevention and treatment in humanitarian emergencies. However, simple random sampling methods may lead to a high risk of coercion in settings characterized...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10342-6 |
| _version_ | 1828943746257911808 |
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| author | Danielle N. Poole Nathaniel A. Raymond Jos Berens Mark Latonero Julie Ricard Bethany Hedt-Gauthier |
| author_facet | Danielle N. Poole Nathaniel A. Raymond Jos Berens Mark Latonero Julie Ricard Bethany Hedt-Gauthier |
| author_sort | Danielle N. Poole |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Understanding the burden of common mental health disorders, such as depressive disorder, is the first step in strengthening prevention and treatment in humanitarian emergencies. However, simple random sampling methods may lead to a high risk of coercion in settings characterized by a lack of distinction between researchers and aid organizations, mistrust, privacy concerns, and the overarching power differential between researchers and populations affected by crises. This case analysis describes a sampling approach developed for a survey study of depressive disorder in a Syrian refugee camp in Greece (n = 135). Discussion Syrian refugees face an extraordinarily high burden of depressive disorder during the asylum process (43%), necessitating population screening, prevention, and treatment. In order to preserve the informed consent process in this refugee camp setting, the research team developed a two-phase sampling strategy using a map depicting the geographical layout of the housing units within the camp. In the first phase, camp management announced a research study was being undertaken and individuals were invited to volunteer to participate. The participants’ container (housing) numbers were recorded on the map, but were not linked to the survey data. Then, in the second phase, the camp map was used for complementary sampling to reach a sample sufficient for statistical analysis. As a result of the two phases of the sampling exercise, all eligible adults from half the containers in each block were recruited, producing a systematic, age- and sex-representative sample. Conclusions Combining sampling procedures in humanitarian emergencies can reduce the risk of coerced consent and bias by allowing participants to approach researchers in the first phase, with a second phase of sampling conducted to recruit a systematic sample. This case analysis illuminates the feasibility of a two-phase sampling approach for drawing a quasi-random, representative sample in a refugee camp setting. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T04:20:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-365cde650a2e4b168cbba313afd8bd75 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T04:20:36Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-365cde650a2e4b168cbba313afd8bd752022-12-21T23:17:22ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582021-02-012111710.1186/s12889-021-10342-6A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in GreeceDanielle N. Poole0Nathaniel A. Raymond1Jos Berens2Mark Latonero3Julie Ricard4Bethany Hedt-Gauthier5Neukom Institute for Computational Science, Dartmouth CollegeJackson Institute of Global Affairs, Yale UniversityCentre for Innovation, Leiden UniversityData & Society Research InstituteData-Pop AllianceDepartment of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolAbstract Background Understanding the burden of common mental health disorders, such as depressive disorder, is the first step in strengthening prevention and treatment in humanitarian emergencies. However, simple random sampling methods may lead to a high risk of coercion in settings characterized by a lack of distinction between researchers and aid organizations, mistrust, privacy concerns, and the overarching power differential between researchers and populations affected by crises. This case analysis describes a sampling approach developed for a survey study of depressive disorder in a Syrian refugee camp in Greece (n = 135). Discussion Syrian refugees face an extraordinarily high burden of depressive disorder during the asylum process (43%), necessitating population screening, prevention, and treatment. In order to preserve the informed consent process in this refugee camp setting, the research team developed a two-phase sampling strategy using a map depicting the geographical layout of the housing units within the camp. In the first phase, camp management announced a research study was being undertaken and individuals were invited to volunteer to participate. The participants’ container (housing) numbers were recorded on the map, but were not linked to the survey data. Then, in the second phase, the camp map was used for complementary sampling to reach a sample sufficient for statistical analysis. As a result of the two phases of the sampling exercise, all eligible adults from half the containers in each block were recruited, producing a systematic, age- and sex-representative sample. Conclusions Combining sampling procedures in humanitarian emergencies can reduce the risk of coerced consent and bias by allowing participants to approach researchers in the first phase, with a second phase of sampling conducted to recruit a systematic sample. This case analysis illuminates the feasibility of a two-phase sampling approach for drawing a quasi-random, representative sample in a refugee camp setting.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10342-6Humanitarian researchResearch ethicsRefugeesGlobal mental health |
| spellingShingle | Danielle N. Poole Nathaniel A. Raymond Jos Berens Mark Latonero Julie Ricard Bethany Hedt-Gauthier A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in Greece BMC Public Health Humanitarian research Research ethics Refugees Global mental health |
| title | A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in Greece |
| title_full | A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in Greece |
| title_fullStr | A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in Greece |
| title_short | A combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings: a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in Greece |
| title_sort | combination sampling approach for epidemiologic research in humanitarian settings a case analysis of a study of depressive disorder prevalence among refugees in greece |
| topic | Humanitarian research Research ethics Refugees Global mental health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10342-6 |
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