Rapid needs assessments: Utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's CASPER toolkit for a local community health assessment

Background: The purpose of this study was to conduct an efficient, low-cost, health survey for the City of Nashua's Community Health Assessment and exercise a rapid needs assessment for use in disaster response. Methods: The assessment protocol was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response. A multistage cluster sampling technique, based on the World Health Organization's Expanded Program on Immunizations, was used to identify thirty randomly selected census block groups and households using the probability proportionate to size method. Seven randomly selected households from each block group were interviewed by teams of volunteers with a thirty-four question health survey. Questions targeted various health and emergency preparedness topics. Data was collected using a paper-based system with Capturx software for Anoto digital pens and analyzed using Epi-Info.™ Maps with a pre-determined, random walking path of each block group were generated using ESRI's ArcGIS software. Volunteers received training on survey methodology, the questionnaire and the maps. Results: Assessment teams approached 833 households and completed 207 surveys for a 25% response rate. Of those, there was contact at 426 households for a 49% cooperation rate. When compared with the 2000 US Census and 2005-2009 American Community Survey, the respondents were similar in age, gender, income and race. Conclusion: The rapid needs assessment successfully gathered health and emergency preparedness data for the community health assessment while training volunteers and exercising the ability to operate this protocol in the event of a disaster.