Network Scale-up Method for Estimating the Size of Population Who Are Hard-to-Count, Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

Network scale-up method is one of widely accepted computation methods for computing numbers of population which were hidden, concealed, or hard-to-count, such as HIV positive people, rape victims, homosexual people, male sex workers, or homeless children. For computing the hidden population likes drug users, homosexual peoples, and female sex workers in Phitsanulok, the network scale-up method was used on the hypothesis of “people you know” by using the mathematic equation. It was conducted during September - December 2013 in all 9 districts of Phitsanulok province. Study results revealed that the numbers of male population aged above 15 who had sex with male was 6,849; the numbers of female sex workers was 473; and the number of drug users was 536. Judging from the figure of sex workers which was close to the figure from a survey in 2011, it should be implied that all the figures obtained would be sufficient to be used for provincial program planning. It should be concluded that the network scale-up method is a useful and cost-effective method for computing numbers of population who were hidden, concealed, or hard-to-count in order to develop strategic health care programs for these populations. In addition, this method could be used for obtaining data on other population groups, which would be useful for wider areas of health development.