All Ireland Traveller Health Study Our Geels - Department of Health ...

Health Survey Findings
Data Collection
Data Collection Process
• The UCD study team set up an outline matrix on coding for the study and asked co-ordinators to
set up a code for each family (UCD only pre-set the regional codes). The study team agreed the
broad content of the coding system, including Peer Researcher codes, family codes, site codes, and
area codes. This content was then used to programme the pre-coding of the questionnaires on the
computers. The team asked the coordinators to update the information on a daily basis, indicating
the outcome of each contact with families and documenting this in the comments section.
• Data was collected from 54 different study centres throughout Ireland.
• The census component of the study was launched by the Minister for Health and Children in her
Department on the 13th October, 2008 with a photo-opportunity and press conference. Special
emphasis was placed on the importance of the study, and the use of the electronic instrument by
Travellers and Traveller Peer Researchers.
• Data was collected and uploaded via modems from 180 computers located in 54 different study
centres, throughout Ireland, during the 2-month period of the census.
• An average of 300 files were uploaded to the UCD server on a daily basis, and these uploads were
monitored regularly as part of quality control.
• A 12-hour daily helpline was set up in UCD, with IT and programme support to address issues and
challenges as they arose.
• To facilitate completeness of the study, the census period was extended to allow inclusion of areas
where there were issues in relation to staff turnover and problems with access to sites.
• At the end of the census the team did a close-down interview with each of the study co-ordinators
asking them to return their completed matrices. In the matrix they accounted for each family they
had coded/enumerated and indicated if they had added new families or if families had refused,
moved or were unavailable. The team collated this information to get the total number of Traveller
families in Ireland.
Census in the Republic of Ireland
The Traveller census commenced on 14th October, 2008. The census ran intensively for 6 weeks, during
which the majority of data were collected as per schedule and it continued as sweep-up in some areas
due to external factors causing delays such as local conflict, sites being unsafe, closure of projects and
movement of staff.
Comments from the Regional Reviews of the Republic of Ireland Census
Overall, very positive feedback was received from projects who participated in the study with the
benefits far outweighing the challenges. Most projects felt that the Peer Researchers gained several
skills from this experience. It has improved teamwork and given them more confidence in their own
abilities. Some Peer Researchers felt that their community now has more respect for their professional
role in Traveller health. Some comments noted during feedback included:
‘...It gave me a sense of pride as a Traveller, that we were able to carry out this research ourselves – it also was a
good education and example to our children that Travellers are able to do this for themselves’.
61