Richmond County Health Department Director Dr. Tommy Jarrell said the health department is partnering with members of the Richmond County Healthy Carolinians Task Force to administer opinion surveys, as part of the 2009 county Community Health Assessment.
“This is the first time we’ve done this in this format,” Jarrell said. “In the past, we’ve done things like take them to the community college or civic groups and ask them to fill them out, but we feel this format will give us a true random sample and everyone in the county will have an equal chance of being chosen.”
The surveys will be conducted Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“This is totally voluntary,” Jarrell said. “We’ll be walking up to people’s homes and knocking on the door ... and asking questions that are loaded into our hand-held computers.”
He explained seven homes were randomly selected through a software program from each of the county’s 30 census tracts.
The workers will be working in teams of two and carrying identification.
“No one will be asking for your Social Security number or for any fees or credit cards,” Jarrell said. “We won’t even be asking for your name or putting your address in the computer or anything. This is strictly an opinion poll.”
Jarrell said the survey should take about 30 minutes to complete, and will contribute to the county’s four-year Community Health Assessment.
“A Community Health Assessment is a process by which community members gain an understanding of the health, concerns and health care systems of the community by identifying, collecting, analyzing and disseminating information on community assets, strengths, resources and needs,” a health department release reads.
“A community health assessment culminates in a report or a presentation that includes information about the health of the community as it is today, and about the community’s capacity to improve the lives of residents. A community health assessment can provide the basis for discussion and action.”
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