Spatial Health Assessment Research Program (SHARP)

Survey Site Selection Toolkit

The Survey Site Selection Toolkit is a result of work carried out by the North Carolina Division of Public Health's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHP&R) and North Carolina Public Health Regional Surveillance Team (PHRST) 5.

The survey methodology, used to conduct community assessments, is based on adaptations and modifications of the work of Malilay, et al (1996). This toolkit generates a toolbar that runs within ArcGIS 9.x and creates an interface to conduct population-weighted cluster sampling, select sample sites, divide the selected sites among survey teams, and generate directions for navigating to survey sites.

The toolkit is stored as a .zip file and can be downloaded using the instructions below. It includes installation files for the toolbar (PHRST Tools beta release 0.9) and documentation describing installation and use.

• Users with previous knowledge of ArcGIS for community sampling may use the quick start guide, which describes in limited detail the toolbar installation and implementing a 30/7 population-weighted cluster sample.


• Users who have limited experience with ArcGIS and/or limited experience with community sampling should download the users manual, which fully describes CASPER methods and use of the ArcGIS toolbar.

Download the PHRST Tools .zip file.

To learn more about SHARP or request assistance, please contact sharpgis@unc.edu.