Counting Hard-to-Count Populations: The Network Scale-up Method for Public Health

Filed under: Sexual Behavior, Contraceptive Use, and Reproductive Health

Bernard, H. Russell; Hallett, Tim; Iovita, Alexandrina; Johnsen, Eugene C.; Lyerla, Rob; McCarty, Christopher; Mahy, Mary; Salganik, Matthew J.; Saliuk, Tetiana; Scutelniciuc, Otilia; Shelley, Gene A.; Sirinirund, Petchsri; Weir, Sharon S.; & Stroup, Donna F. (2010). Counting Hard-to-Count Populations: The Network Scale-up Method for Public Health. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 86(Suppl. 2), ii11-5. PMCID: PMC3010902

Reference Type:
Journal Article

Secondary Title:

Series Title:

Author(s):
Bernard, H. Russell
Hallett, Tim
Iovita, Alexandrina
Johnsen, Eugene C.
Lyerla, Rob
McCarty, Christopher
Mahy, Mary
Salganik, Matthew J.
Saliuk, Tetiana
Scutelniciuc, Otilia
Shelley, Gene A.
Sirinirund, Petchsri
Weir, Sharon S.
Stroup, Donna F.

Editor(s):

Series Author(s):

Year Published:
2010

Date Published:

Journal Name:
Sexually Transmitted Infections

Volume Number:
86

Issue Number:
Suppl. 2

Start Page Number:
ii11-5

End Page Number:

Edition:

Series Volume:

Publisher:

City of Publication:

ISSN/ISBN:

DOI:
10.1136/sti.2010.044446

PMCID:
PMC3010902

NIHMSID:

Reference ID:
4795

Miscellaneous:

Abstract:

Estimating sizes of hidden or hard-to-reach populations is an important problem in public health. For example, estimates of the sizes of populations at highest risk for HIV and AIDS are needed for designing, evaluating and allocating funding for treatment and prevention programmes. A promising approach to size estimation, relatively new to public health, is the network scale-up method (NSUM), involving two steps: estimating the personal network size of the members of a random sample of a total population and, with this information, estimating the number of members of a hidden subpopulation of the total population. We describe the method, including two approaches to estimating personal network sizes (summation and known population). We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and provide examples of international applications of the NSUM in public health. We conclude with recommendations for future research and evaluation.

Keyword(s):
Sexual Behavior, Contraceptive Use, and Reproductive Health

URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sti.2010.044446

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Citation:

Bernard, H. Russell; Hallett, Tim; Iovita, Alexandrina; Johnsen, Eugene C.; Lyerla, Rob; McCarty, Christopher; Mahy, Mary; Salganik, Matthew J.; Saliuk, Tetiana; Scutelniciuc, Otilia; Shelley, Gene A.; Sirinirund, Petchsri; Weir, Sharon S.; & Stroup, Donna F. (2010). Counting Hard-to-Count Populations: The Network Scale-up Method for Public Health. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 86(Suppl. 2), ii11-5. PMCID: PMC3010902