Rapid rural appraisal: its role in health planning in developing countries.

There is an urgent need for a quick inexpensive and reliable method for identifying groups and individuals most in need of primary health care. The Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) is the most appropriate approach. It is a method by which resources can be quickly deployed to alleviate the problems of the poor. If properly used it can play a major role in identifying community health needs thereby aiding the health planning process and improving the health of the people. Nevertheless, RRA techniques should not be regarded as separate and apart from other research methodologies but complementary to them.