Field epidemiology: Methodological constraints and limitations in the developing world

Effective planning for health services and facilities requires knowledge of not only theillnesses prevalent in a community but also of the quantity, distribution and the factors affecting their occurrence. In many developing countries, such information is not readily available because of gross inadequacies in the demographic, vital and health statistics collection system. In the absence of a reliable data source, well designed epidemiological surveys may provide clues on the health status of the community. However, the conduct of epidemiological surveys in this part of the world is subject to setbacks, limitations and constraints. Some of the limitations and constraints confronting epidemiologists are discussed. Their implications in the possible malpractice of epidemiology in developing countries should be of much concern.