Comparison of three rapid household survey sampling methods for vaccination coverage assessment in a peri-urban setting in Pakistan
Household surveys are essential for vaccine coverage monitoring in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI) cluster survey design has been a default choice for decades. This study compared the coverage estimates and time efficiency of EPI sampling design and two alternative methods: the compact segment sampling and innovative grid-based geographical information system (GIS) sampling.
Key Messages:
- Compared with the traditional EPI cluster survey, the other two methods produced similar vaccine coverage estimates in a peri-urban setting in Karachi, Pakistan
- Since the traditional EPI surveys did not correctly account for the sampling weights, the design effects were underestimated. The other two methods had shown higher design effects and thus require a larger sample size for the same precision.
- More methodologically rigorous sampling designs are preferred in future household surveys. Surveyors need to evaluate and be prepared for the potential increase in sample size requirements and implementation costs.