%0 Journal Article
%T A two-stage cluster sampling method using gridded population data, a GIS, and Google EarthTM imagery in a population-based mortality survey in Iraq
%A Lindsay P Galway
%A Nathaniel Bell
%A Sahar AE Al Shatari
%A Amy Hagopian
%A Gilbert Burnham
%A Abraham Flaxman
%A William M Weiss
%A Julie Rajaratnam
%A Tim K Takaro
%J International Journal of Health Geographics
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1476-072x-11-12
%X We present a two-stage cluster sampling method for application in population-based mortality surveys. The sampling method utilizes gridded population data and a geographic information system (GIS) to select clusters in the first sampling stage and Google Earth TM imagery and sampling grids to select households in the second sampling stage. The sampling method is implemented in a household mortality study in Iraq in 2011. Factors affecting feasibility and methodological quality are described.Sampling is a challenge in retrospective population-based mortality studies and alternatives that improve on the conventional approaches are needed. The sampling strategy presented here was designed to generate a representative sample of the Iraqi population while reducing the potential for bias and considering the context specific challenges of the study setting. This sampling strategy, or variations on it, are adaptable and should be considered and tested in other conflict settings.
%K Cluster sampling
%K Population-based survey
%K Mortality
%K Conflict
%K Iraq war
%K Geographic information system (GIS)
%K Google EarthTM
%U http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/11/1/12/abstract