Assessing the quality of survey data on adolescent sexuality talking with the field staff

Survey interviewers and supervisors are a rich source of information. Long hours in the field allow them to intimately observe and interact with study respondents. The trained interviewer can view the living conditions and relation dynamics in the home and, more important, observe the respondents reactions to survey questions revealed through their body language, verbal expressions, and apparent conviction. During this "window of opportunity", rapport often develops between the interviewer and the respondent, allowing the interviewer to gain valuable information far beyond the answers given in the survey questionnaire. The Nepal Adolescent and Young Adult (NAYA) Survey collected information about the reproductive health knowledge, practices and behaviour of a representative sample of Nepalese in the 14-22 age group. Its objective was to provide better guidance for the development of effective policies, strategies and programmes aimed at improving the reproductive health of this age group.