Data collection challenges experienced while conducting the international alcohol control study (IAC) in Tshwane, South Africa

Nel, Elmarie, Rich, Eileen, Morojele, Neo, Harker Burnhams, Nadine, Petersen Williams, Petal and Parry, Charles (2017) Data collection challenges experienced while conducting the international alcohol control study (IAC) in Tshwane, South Africa. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 24 (5). pp. 376-383. ISSN 0968-7637

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Abstract

Aims: There is limited literature on the challenges encountered during household surveys on alcohol consumption in low- and middle-income countries. This paper aims to describe the problems encountered during data collection for the IAC study in South Africa and put forward recommendations for addressing identified challenges. Methods: Data on methodological and other challenges emerged from feedback sessions held with fieldworkers, supervisors, observations made of and follow up meetings with project investigators, based on the pilot and main study of 2844 adults and adolescents in Tshwane (South Africa). Results: Challenges identified included the following: delays in software development which resulted in postponement of data collection with subsequent budgetary implications; difficulties in identifying the full range of alcohol beverages during the adaptation of the questionnaire as manufacturers sometimes changed quantities and packaging to enhance sales; a resultant lengthy questionnaire which negatively impacted on participation; potential participants sometime being afraid to allow fieldworkers onto premises due to high crime rates in many participating areas and religious beliefs concerning alcohol consumption that prevented some parents from consenting to their adolescent children’s participation. Conclusion: When planning community surveys on alcohol use, it is important to anticipate and prepare for these and other challenging conditions that arise in the preparation for, and execution of fieldwork.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Publisher Copyright: © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	alcohol consumption,challenges,fieldwork,health(social science),medicine (miscellaneous) ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3306
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	05 Mar 2026 09:30
Last Modified:	05 Mar 2026 09:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102205
DOI:	10.1080/09687637.2016.1226774

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