The nominal group technique for participating communities in analyzing rural town water and sanitation situation

Abstract: To explore sanitation problems and their causes, a series of independent group discussions was conducted with residents of a rural town stratified into seven social levels using the Nominal Group [Discussion] Technique (NGT). Indiscriminate open field defecation and garbage disposal were the two most mentioned and ranked problem items followed by unsanitary food and drink services. The top identified cause items were absence of public latrines, failure of the municipality to control town sanitation and absence of solid waste disposal facilities. A Combined group gave the highest Median Agreement Score (MAS) of 10. The smallest median agreement was scored by Youth and Health workers' groups (MAS=6.5) for mentioned, and by youth and Ordinary residents'groups (MAS=4.5) for ranked problem items. Health workers' group (group 7) ranked MAS of 5. The MAS for causes of sanitation problems of the Combined group was 8 for mentioned, and MAS of 4 for ranked items. Development workers ought to give due recognition to communal stratification when making need assessment for better realignment of diverse view points and interests during project development. Modifying and validating NGT for a broader use in assessing community health problems and needs is suggested. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1997;11(1):37-42