Transect Walk Instructions

During the transect walk with the community leader, you should collect information on the boundaries of the neighborhood, as well as information on key areas. During this time, if you have access to a GPS or Android device, you should record the coordinates for the different landmarks. However, if you do not have GPS/spatial capabilities, collecting information about boundaries and key points is still very useful for planning environmental and household data collection. If available (and appropriate), a tape recorder may be helpful to record any conversation during the transect walk. However, be sure to obtain consent from the interviewee before recording anything.

General Transect Walk Protocol

Perform a transect walk for each of the target neighborhoods.

1. Inform the key informant about the purpose of the transect walk.

2. Ask the key informant if there is a neighborhood map.

3. Ask the key informant which of the sites mentioned above are present in the community and their approximate location.

4. Plan with the key informant to undertake the transect walk in a timely manner.

5. During the transect walk, use the Transect Walk Observation Checklist (below). If you are collecting optional GPS data for mapping, record the GPS coordinates of each site identified, the street address, any landmarks close to the site and take a photo (if a camera is available) of the site when permissible. It is critical to record every digit shown on the device, including the location of the degree symbol and the cardinal direction.

6. If there is no map of the neighborhood, ask the key informant to show you the neighborhood boundary and document it using the Transect Walk Community Boundary form.

7. Return the observation checklist, any pictures taken and the transect walk community boundary form to your team leader.

Boundary Walk

Have the community leader walk you around the boundaries of their neighborhood. If you are using a GPS device, collect data points along the way so that you can map the neighborhood later. Refer to the Strava and Ona instructions in the Mobile Data Collection page for instructions on mapping the neighborhood boundary.

Observation Checklist

After completing the boundary walk, walk through the neighborhood with the community leader and have them identify key areas for observation. Below is a list of key points that you should record:

• Open defecation area(s)

• Open drain(s)

• Waste disposal site(s)

• Flood area(s)

• Market(s)

• School(s)

• Community center(s)

• Animals (note types, approximate quantity, containment)

• Places of Worship (i.e. Churches, Mosques, Temples)

• Food vending area(s)

• Public tap(s) or other source(s) of drinking water (e.g. bottled water, wells)

• Bathing areas

• Ocean/surface water area(s)

• Public/community/shared latrine(s)

• Other sites where people could come into contact with fecal matter.

Script

On our transect walk I hope we can visit key places in your neighborhood. We will be recording notes, taking GPS points at different locations, as well as taking photographs to help us remember places. The information we gather will only be used to inform our research. Once again we will not use your name or pictures of you in any of our documents.

We would like to start by having you lead us around the boundary points of the neighborhood so we can understand the area that is affected by sanitation issues. After that, I will have you lead me to key points that will be useful for our risk assessment. Shall we begin?