APAC conducted training on Polling Booth survey for all the NGO heads and Project Coordinators at Chennai on June 9, 2009. Ms. Maya Mascarenhas was the resource person of the training program and Dr. Bimal Charles and Dr. T Ilanchezhian facilitated the training.

Polling booth survey is conducted with a homogenous group of about 8-10 individuals. Members of the group are separated from each other in a polling booth environment created by sheets or saris hung on ropes or cardboards. This method is useful when one has to collect information on sensitive and personal issues related to sexual health in a confidential manner. In polling booth the respondent remains anonymous.

This training will help the NGOs to evaluate high risk groups and assess various components like STI services, condom use, risk behaviour, sexual activities in married men and women and unmarried men and women. Even the illiterate community members can participate in this survey. The polling booth survey shall help:

• To understand the HIV/AIDS risk perception in a particular community

• To identify the number of persons at relatively higher risk

• To know the percentage of regular condom use and STI diseases

• To compare on a regular basis if there is a change in the behaviour indicators over time

Each participant is given three coloured ballot boxes (Green, Red and White) and a set of small cards, with each card having a question number printed on it. The facilitator reads out the questions one by one and the participants answer each question by dropping the card carrying the question number into any of the three ballot boxes. (green for yes, red for no, and white for not applicable)

If the participant does not want to answer the question, she keeps the card outside these boxes. If the participant does not understand the question, the facilitator repeats the question and clarifies the doubts regarding the question. Responses to each question are tabulated based on the total number of cards that are found in Red, Green and White boxes.