Technical Report - Donegal Traveller's Project

Health Survey FindingsData CollectionData Collection Process• The UCD study team set up an outline matrix on coding for the study and asked co-ordinators toset up a code for each family (UCD only pre-set the regional codes). The study team agreed thebroad content of the coding system, including Peer Researcher codes, family codes, site codes, andarea codes. This content was then used to programme the pre-coding of the questionnaires on thecomputers. The team asked the coordinators to update the information on a daily basis, indicatingthe 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 herDepartment on the 13th October, 2008 with a photo-opportunity and press conference. Specialemphasis was placed on the importance of the study, and the use of the electronic instrument byTravellers and Traveller Peer Researchers.• Data was collected and uploaded via modems from 180 computers located in 54 different studycentres, 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 weremonitored regularly as part of quality control.• A 12-hour daily helpline was set up in UCD, with IT and programme support to address issues andchallenges as they arose.• To facilitate completeness of the study, the census period was extended to allow inclusion of areaswhere 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-ordinatorsasking them to return their completed matrices. In the matrix they accounted for each family theyhad 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 Travellerfamilies in Ireland.Census in the Republic of IrelandThe Traveller census commenced on 14th October, 2008. The census ran intensively for 6 weeks, duringwhich the majority of data were collected as per schedule and it continued as sweep-up in some areasdue to external factors causing delays such as local conflict, sites being unsafe, closure of projects andmovement of staff.Comments from the Regional Reviews of the Republic of Ireland CensusOverall, very positive feedback was received from projects who participated in the study with thebenefits far outweighing the challenges. Most projects felt that the Peer Researchers gained severalskills from this experience. It has improved teamwork and given them more confidence in their ownabilities. Some Peer Researchers felt that their community now has more respect for their professionalrole 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 agood education and example to our children that Travellers are able to do this for themselves’.61