Food and Nutrition Surveillance and Response in Emergencies

Session 11

Nutritional Assessment and Analyses

Main Nutritional Assessment Methods Anthropometry: wt, ht, MUAC, (mainly for

<5yrs since they are sensitive to factors influencing nutritional status-illness/ food

Biochemical Methods Clinical Assessment Dietary Methods

Nutritional Surveillance

Is the process of monitoring changes in the nutritional status of a population over a period of time.

Nutrition surveillance involves Data collection, processing, Analyses, Interpretation and Communication

Purpose of nutritional Surveillance

Nutrition data is a vital indicator for the overall health and welfare of populations especially where regular demographic and health surveys are lacking.

Surveillance data is critical for making decisions that will assist in improved nutrition outcomes of a population e.g. when to start or phase out a nutrition intervention such as supplementary feeding program.

Nutrition data can be used in crisis mitigation especially as an early warning indicator to respond to threats such as droughts or disease outbreaks.

Data collected assists in providing baseline information on nutrition, socio-economic factors, demographic characteristics, food security and cultural aspects of a population

Information is important for decision making on program planning, management, monitoring and evaluation

Type of data

Quantitative: numeric Qualitative: Narrative (to supplement the

quantitative data) – FGD, formal (in-depth) and informal interviews of key informants, case studies, observation,

Principle Users

Communities involved in the design, planning and management of nutrition related programs

Government authorities and Non Governmental Organizations supporting food security, health and nutrition related programs

Food Aid agencies e.g. WFP, CARE Donors Industries addressing nutrition and health

related issues

Nutrition Surveillance in Somalia by FSAU utilizes diverse range of information sources to develop an efficient and effective nutrition surveillance system. These are, nutrition surveys, health facilities, rapid assessment, and sentinel sites.

A nutritional survey is a method by which information is obtained concerning the nutritional status of a population or a subgroup. Such information is collected by asking nutrition related questions in an interview to a representative sample of the population.

Steps in conducting survey

Planning the survey Administering the survey: partner contacts,

training and tool pre-testing, data collection, data management, report and presentation (quality control maintained in all steps).

Planning Survey

A review of the existing information related to the anticipated survey area

Identify survey goals and objectives: Identify survey indicators Selecting survey methodology Select survey sample

Survey plan (cont’)

Liaising with partners: roles & responsibilities

Data collection tools and instrument Pre-testing the tools Data collection

NB: quality control ensured at all levels

Typical survey designs include:

Longitudinal survey: data is collected for the same population over a long period of time. Longitudinal studies are useful in establishing trends over a long period of time

Cross-sectional surveys: This is one of the commonly used survey designs that looks into population issues at a given point in time.

In emergency: Cross sectional survey mainly used.

Sampling methods are:

Two Stage Cluster sampling Random sampling Systematic sampling Stratified sampling

When to conduct Survey

At the beginning of a nutrition project cycle to provide baseline information for program formulation

During initial phase of emergency situation to measure nutritional status and plan a short term response

During the course of the nutrition program to assess and monitor the impact

monitor progress (regular monitoring of the situation)

At the end of the project circle to evaluate its extent and impact

Any other time deemed necessary to establish a baseline.

Type of info. in surveys

Demographic – HH details, residential status Socio-economic issues: income, food source,

coping strategies, water source, hygiene Anthropometric measurements Intervention coverage Morbidity Food consumption Mortality

Quality control measures

Thorough training of staff plus pre-testing of tools (interpretation of the questionnaires, if necessary)

Standardization tests- Intra-personal/ interpersonal errors Close monitoring of the field work by qualified persons Cross-checking of the field questionnaires for anomaly daily Daily review of enumerator experiences and problems Progress review per plan and by checklist Data cleaning: collection, entry, Integrity of equipments: maintain accuracy using known

weights

Health Facility

Summary of anthropometric measurements of <5yrs, morbidity and EPI from MCH collected

The MCH are located in vast vulnerable area Data collected from it serve as early indicator in case

of crises. HF data indicates trends in malnutrition rates over a

period of time N.B. Data from HF is not representative of the entire

population and it’s biased since only the sick or those who can access the health facility are assessed

Key issues in site based surveillance

Importance of carrying out surveillance Anthropometric data- quality of data/integrity

of equipment and staff quality Recording and interpreting measurements Clinical diagnosis: obvious micronutrient

deficiency- VAD, anaemia, IDD Causes of malnutrition

Rapid Assessment

Mainly carried out on ad hoc bases.

Useful when: When nutrition information are fast needed When resources of carrying out Nutrition survey are

limited. MUAC is usually used. Additional methods include:

FGD, Key informant interview, observation (transect walks), seasonal calendars and Case study.

Steps in planning a rapid assessment

Define objectives (who to assess-children, women, why),

Determine target site/area/population Develop appropriate method of data

collection: representative Staff identification and training (involve the

existing authority) Materials and equipment

Type of information

MUAC measurements: adults (women), <5yr Food availability and accessibility Water sources Common diseases- how are recent trends Access to health services/ other interventions Livestock and population movement- destinations/

origin of emigrants Type of food consumed/freq. of feeding Security situation