A multipurpose serological survey in Kenya. 1. Survey methods and progress of field work

The need to develop methods for serological sample surveys has increased during recent years. The article describes the methods of sampling and blood collecting employed in a serological survey which was conducted in three different areas of Kenya.The purpose of the survey was primarily to gather information about the age-specific prevalence of various infections which were thought to pose public health problems in the country. An attempt was also made to identify environmental factors which might be associated with variation in the prevalence of the different infections. This was done by collecting data about such factors at the same time as the serological specimens were obtained in the selected survey groups.The experience gained during the field work showed that it is possible to achieve a high coverage of bleeding (80%) in randomly selected population groups living in rural Kenya when proper incentives are given to the examines. Venous blood could be obtained from subjects under field conditions down to the age of 2 years; from the babies only capillary blood could be obtained.