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Appendix C: Example Protocol
Example Protocol for Responding to Signs of
Distress in a Child During an Interview
Example Protocol for Responding to Signs of
Distress in Child During an Interview
(Family Health International/Zambia and the SCOPE
Project)
The following protocol was used when interviewing children
using the quantitative questionnaires contained in
this Guide (see Appendix F). A significant feature of this
protocol is the restrictions placed on the psychosocial
support person’s (PSSP) ability to follow up or undertake
an intervention with the child. Safeguarding the confidentiality
of the participants was a top priority and,
therefore, limited the referral actions involving the PSSP.
It is recommended that the data collection teams collaborate
with the PSSPs and community advisors to develop
a protocol for interviewing children that addresses the
specific data collection circumstances. The principle of
putting the best interests of the child first (and doing no
harm) should guide the protocol development. A key
resource to assist in this process is Ethical Guidelines for
Gathering Information from Children and Adolescents,
which will be available in November 2004 from
www.popcouncil.org/horizons.
Example Protocol
During an interview, when a child shows signs of distress,
the PSSP should immediately comfort the child
and provide emotional support.
From that point on, there are four alternatives for
responding to signs of distress in the child during the
interview. The PSSP should use his or her discretion as
to which alternative to use, but it should be done in consultation
with the child. The child might:
• Wish to continue with the interview and discuss
what he or she was distressed about at the end of the
interview
• Wish to discuss the matter immediately and continue
with the interview thereafter
• Wish to reschedule the interview
• Wish to terminate the interview
Whatever the child decides to do, the PSSP should do as
the child desires and not make the decision for the child.
In addition, the PSSP should thank the child for having
given the PSSP a chance to talk with him or her.
Exploring the Child’s Feelings and Options (during or
after interview)
The PSSP can make comments such as the following to
the child to help explore his or her feelings:
• I believe you.
• Tell me how you feel right now.
• Kindly tell me more about what is making you feel
this way. What have you done about this?
• Who have you told about this?
• What was the outcome or result?
• What do you think can be done about the situation?
If a child tells you that he or she has been abused, or if
during the consultation with the child you confirm that
the child has been abused, say the following, “What was
done to you was wrong or not right.”
Use of Resource List
After the child has told you what has been done about
the problem and what he or she thinks can be done
about the situation, continue to explore the available
options, following the steps below:
1. Show the child a copy of the resource list.
2. Identify agencies/individuals on the list who might be
able to help address the issue/problem.
3. Highlight (e.g., with an asterisk *) the agencies/individuals
that are involved with such issues/problems
and/or can provide help.
4. Give the resource list to the child.
5. Ask the child to identify an older, reliable, and appropriate
person who could accompany the child to the
supporting agency/individual.
6. Encourage the child to visit the support agency/individual
identified in Step 3 above and to take the
resource list with him or her so that the agency/individual
can facilitate the visit for the child.
7. Thank the child and wish him or her the best.
Conducting a Participatory Situation Analysis of
Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by HIV/AIDS
109