1. Behavioral Surveys

2. What are behavioral surveys?
Ask people to respond to questions about actions or behaviors that affect their well-being
Focus on what people do rather than what people think
Must be taken as self-reports

3. Why would you need to use behavioral surveys?
Behavioral surveys can be used to:
Determine the extent of the problem in your community
Raise public awareness about the issue
Evaluate the success of the initiative

4. When should you use behavioral surveys?
Behavioral surveys should be conducted at regular intervals, depending upon the resources your group has, so you can keep you finger on the pulse of the community.

5. How do you conduct a behavioral survey?
Obtain behavioral data;
Tabulate the data;
Plot the data and provide feedback;
Use the data to determine the level of risk, raise public awareness, and evaluate effectiveness.

6. Obtain behavioral data
Define your objectives for the survey
Ask yourself:
What do we hope to learn from this survey?
Who do we want to survey?
How will the information we obtain help us achieve our goals and objectives?
Write a survey with questions related to your group's objectives that addresses the specific needs of your group and your community.

7. If appropriate: Consider conducting a random phone survey
Check with other area groups to see if any of them have already conducted surveys you can use
Consider contacting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta for information

8. Tabulate the data Calculate the data to determine:
The percentage of people who engage in risk behaviors in your community; and
The extent of the issue in your community

9. Plot the data and provide feedback
Plot the data in a chart form to have a visual representation of the problem and see any trends of the problem over time
Provide feedback to those involved with the initiative

10. Use the data Decide how to use the data:
To help you determine where the greatest risk lies, and how you can address it
To raise public awareness about the issue
To evaluate the effects of the initiative