Evaluation of the POPLAB birth and death data collection projects in Colombia, Indonesia, and Somalia

Special evaluation, attached to three special country reports (XD-AAJ-293-A, 293-B, and 293-C) covers the period l0/78-3/8l and is based on a review of project documents and interviews with A.I.D. and project staff. To date, the staff of the International Program of Laboratories for Population Statistics (POPLAB) at the University of North Carolina (UNC) has conducted site assessments in 63 countries and negotiated seven of a targeted 14 demographic survey projects, six of which, based on POPLAB/UNC documentation, were approved by AID/W for implementation. The Bolivian survey, to be completed in 9/81, and the Colombian survey, extended until 7/81, are national in scope and involve 10,000 households. The national Mexican survey, completed in 3/81, sampled 18,000 households; the results have been analyzed and published and are expected to influence Mexico"s population policies and programs. Nearly 20,000 East Javan households will be sampled in the Indonesian survey, to be completed in 12/82. The Somalian survey, due to end in 3/81, involves both settled and nomadic populations in the Bay, Lower Shebelle, and Mogadishu regions. Sample surveying of 21,000 households in Jordan will be completed by 9/82. The seven additional surveys to be initiated by 9/82 have not been negotiated due to a lack of A.I.D. funds. A.I.D. should advance year 4 funds and restore what was withheld of year 3 funds and approve the previously negotiated survey of Korea to enable POPLAB/UNC to complete implementation of this uniquely important project; if these steps cannot be taken, the scope of work should be modified. The POPLAB/UNC staff has provided high-caliber technical assistance (TA) and sound training to field supervisors and enumerators and has worked with host country technicians -- who have generally proved competent -- to analyze survey results. Short-term training is advised, however, to minimize problems caused by turnovers in specialized host country personnel. POPLAB/UNC should also assure control over the sample design and correct processing of the resulting data, provide a manual and TA for the final country reports, and pursue planned collaborative research with other developing countries.