• Introduction
  • Cardinal Symptoms
  • Cardinal Symptoms List for Adult Deaths
  • Cardinal Symptoms List for Child & Neonatal Deaths
  • 5 Interview Steps
  • Interview Tips
  • Live Interview Videos
  • Narrative Case 1
  • Narrative Case 2
  • Narrative Case 3
  • Narrative Case 4
  • Narrative Case 5
  • Summary
  • Resources


5 Interview Steps

5 Steps to conduct Verbal Autopsy interviews

Step 1: LISTEN!
Ask the respondent to describe the events before death in THEIR OWN WORDS.

Step 2: POSITIVE SYMPTOMS!
Obtain positive cardinal symptoms and other main events.

Step 3: PROBE THE POSITIVE SYMPTOMS!
Ask probing questions for each positive cardinal symptom.

Step 4: NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS AND EXTRA INFORMATION!
Document negative cardinal symptoms and any available medical information.

Step 5: PUT IT ALL TOGETHER!
Confirm time sequence and read the story back to the respondent.

Difficult Interviews:

If the respondent is not able to give sufficient information on any of the symptoms prior to death or finds it difficult to remember any major symptoms:

  • Read out all the major signs/symptoms from the CS list
  • Check responses to each, and note down positive responses
  • Where there is a positive response, probe that symptom further to obtain additional details
  • Ask for details on any treatment received, name and location of the hospital, and any tests or diagnoses made during medical care

 

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