Conducting a Participatory Situation Analysis of.pdf - Global HIV ...

Example of Data Using Categorical
Variables
A survey of seven orphans in a community asks them
their status (i.e., maternal, paternal, or double).A
possible set of responses includes: Maternal = 1,
Paternal = 4, Double = 2.
Calculation:
Orphans due to Maternal Death = 14.3%
Orphans due to Paternal Death = 57.1%
Orphan due to Death of Both Parents = 28.6%
Total =100.0%
Discussion: Almost 60 percent (57.1%) of orphans in
the community are orphans due to paternal death
and more than one out of every four (28.6%) orphans
have lost both parents.
Ratio variable values have a meaningful “zero” equivalent
(e.g., weight and height).
It can be stated that one child weighs twice as much as
another child; however, it cannot be stated that one child
is twice as smart as another. In most cases, a situation
analysis involves ratio types of data.
If the variables are continuous, any of the following five
calculations can be used to summarize the distribution
of the data:
• Mean—Average of all numbers
• Median—Half of the data are above this point and
half are below
• Mode—Most frequently occurring number
• Minimum—Lowest value or number
• Maximum—Highest value or number
• Range—Maximum minus minimum
Note: If the distribution is skewed (e.g., household
income), then the median is the most appropriate measure.
The categories of the variables used in the questionnaires
in this Guide (see Appendix H) are listed below.
Frequency and frequency distribution can be calculated
for each of the variable categories (Note: this list is not
exhaustive).
Head of Household Questionnaire:
• Socioeconomic characteristics of households
• Home relationships
• Children’s education
• Psychosocial issues and emotional well-being
• Household access to support services
• Perceptions and experiences with HIV/AIDS
• Head of household communication with OVC
• Basic needs of OVC
Orphans and Vulnerable Children Questionnaires:
• Demographic information
• Education
• Food and fluid intake
• Household relationships—OVC with guardian,
OVC with siblings, OVC with non-siblings
• Background information on father—illness and death
• Visits with father
Example of Data Using Continuous
Variables
A survey of seven orphans or vulnerable children a
community asks their ages (completed years).The
seven responses are: 0 2 4 3 1 5 5
Calculation:
• Number of orphans surveyed = 7
• Mean = 2.9 years
• Median = 3 years
• Mode = 5 years
• Minimum = 0 years
• Maximum = 5 years
• Range = 5 years
Discussion: The average age of orphaned children in
the community is 2.9 years (mean).The youngest is
less than 1 year old (minimum).The oldest is 5 years
old (maximum).Two orphans are 5 years old (mode).
The median is 3 years, as 50% of the orphans are less
than 3 years old and 50% are more than 3 years old.
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