Overcoming fieldwork challenges in urban health research in developing countries: a research note

Mathee, Angela; Harpham, Trudy; Naicker, Nisha; Barnes, Brendon; Plagerson, Sophie; Feit, Monica; Swart, A.H.J.; Naidoo, Shan

doi:10.1080/13645570902867742

Cited by 27 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…It should be noted that, in line with previous field process articles of this nature [7,8], this paper is a retrospective documentation of, and reflection on, a project fieldwork experience, on the part of the project management team (the authors are project managers or Principal Investigators (PIs)). It is therefore not based on a formal process of primary data analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…For example, recently published journal articles documenting challenges of conducting field research in South Africa are very few and refer primarily to urban health research [7,8]. Research reports and publications often make scarce mention of the difficulties encountered during the process of collecting data, despite their potential value to the research community.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Conducting health survey research in a deep rural South African community: challenges and adaptive strategies

Casale

Lane

Sello

et al. 2013

Health Res Policy Sys

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BackgroundIn many parts of the developing world, rural health requires focused policy attention, informed by reliable, representative health data. Yet there is surprisingly little published material to guide health researchers who face the unique set of hurdles associated with conducting field research in remote rural areas.MethodsIn this paper we provide a detailed description of the key challenges encountered during health survey field research carried out in 2010 in a deep rural site in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The aim of the field research was to collect data on the health of children aged 10 to 17 years old, and their primary adult caregivers, as part of a larger national health survey; the research was a collaboration between several South African and foreign universities, South African national government departments, and various NGO partners. In presenting each of the four fieldwork challenges encountered on this site, we describe the initial planning decisions made, the difficulties faced when implementing these in the field, and the adaptive strategies we used to respond to these challenges. We reflect on learnings of potential relevance for the research community.ResultsOur four key fieldwork challenges were scarce research capacity, staff relocation tensions, logistical constraints, and difficulties related to community buy-in. Addressing each of these obstacles required timely assessment of the situation and adaptation of field plans, in collaboration with our local NGO partner. Adaptive strategies included a greater use of local knowledge; the adoption of tribal authority boundaries as the smallest geopolitical units for sampling; a creative developmental approach to capacity building; and planned, on-going engagement with multiple community representatives.ConclusionsWe argue that in order to maintain high scientific standards of research and manage to ‘get the job done’ on the ground, it is necessary to respond to fieldwork challenges that arise as a cohesive team, with timely, locally-relevant, and often creative, solutions. Budgeting sufficient time and project resources for capacity building and community buy-in processes is also essential when working in remote communities unaccustomed to research. Documenting and sharing field experiences can provide valuable information for other researchers planning to conduct fieldwork in similar contexts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conducting health survey research in a deep rural South African community: challenges and adaptive strategies

Casale

Lane

Sello

et al. 2013

Health Res Policy Sys

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“…Owing to social unrest at the time, and concern for Emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg fieldworker safety, sample selection in Hospital Hill did not conform to the requirements for random sampling. Additional methodological challenges encountered during the conduct of this study have been written up separately and submitted for publication (Mathee et al, 2009). …”

Section: Limitations Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequity in poverty: the emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg

Mathee

Harpham

Barnes

et al. 2009

Development Southern Africa

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In 2005, in recognition of the role of social factors in increasing health inequities, the World Health Organisation established the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. South Africa is among the most unequal societies in the world. It faces serious public health challenges, including an elevated burden of chronic disease, and high levels of violence. This paper presents data from a cross-sectional study of socio-economic and health status conducted in five Johannesburg housing settlements in 2006. The findings paint a picture of health inequities across and within the study sites, and socio-environmental conditions that undermine the prospects of protecting and promoting health. The authors suggest the need for a new approach to public health in areas of urban impoverishment in Johannesburg and elsewhere.Urban, health, poverty, inequity, public health, Johannesburg, South Africa,

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“…This takes dedication not only on behalf of the researcher but also on the part of the key informants and interpreters assisting in gaining approval. Mathee et al (2010) share their experiences in working with government officials when they conducted a research project in South Africa. They stress the importance of making partnerships with government and community stakeholders, as this helped them gain access to study sites, ensure participation in early stages of the research, and engage the community in postresearch next steps.…”

Section: Discussion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building Connections While Conducting Qualitative Health Fieldwork in Vietnam

Boggiano

Harris

Nguyen³

2015

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

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Researchers are increasingly embarking on international qualitative health research projects, where unknown social structures and government systems make inquiry uniquely challenging. In this article, we document our experiences conducting two related studies on HIV/AIDS in Northern Vietnam. We describe how our research relied on harnessing the social capital of vital community stakeholders, such as key informants, interpreters, and host organizations, to effectively engage with government bodies on a macro level and with local communities on a microlevel. By highlighting our processes, pitfalls, and successes, we provide current and future scholars with strategies to use when conducting cross-national field research.

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Overcoming fieldwork challenges in urban health research in developing countries: a research note

Cited by 27 publications

References 6 publications

Conducting health survey research in a deep rural South African community: challenges and adaptive strategies

Conducting health survey research in a deep rural South African community: challenges and adaptive strategies

Inequity in poverty: the emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg

Building Connections While Conducting Qualitative Health Fieldwork in Vietnam

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