Community Surveillance System - Physicians across continents

OBJECTIVES OF NUTRITION SURVEILLANCE:

Surveillance provides ongoing information about the nutritional conditions of the population and the factors that 

influence them. This information will provide the basis for decisions to be made by those responsible for policy, planning and the management of programmes relating to improvement of Food consumption patterns and nutritional status and other Key indicators.

Approaches used for data collection:

The Surveillance teams collect all required data that using Odk form and will be sent daily to the central team each team supervisor will divide the selected communities to a small segment if needed and will randomly select segments and will collect data from each segment within one working day.In each selected community, the team will work for one day and will select randomly minimum of 20 HH.All children 6 – 59 months in the selected HH will be surveyed for nutrition status (wasting, stunting, undernutrition and overweight) using anthropometric measurements and clinical signs (Bilateral oedema, MUAC, length or High, and weight) All children 0 – 23 months in the selected HH will be surveyed for the IYCF practices.

Information for decisions:

All data collected through the NSS available through power bi dashboard and accessible for all cluster partners,Each month the surveillance findings discussed and reviewed through the ATWG in the nutrition cluster before publishing.The surveillance dashboard also includes the recommendations page that helps the cluster team and program management at cluster level to prioritize  the response. 

 Key components of a Nutrition Community Surveillance System may include:

1. Nutritional Assessment:

This involves collecting data on various aspects of nutritional status, including dietary intake, anthropometric measurements (such as height, weight, and body composition), biochemical indicators (such as blood nutrient/minerals levels), and clinical assessments (such as signs of malnutrition or deficiency-related conditions).

2. Food Consumption Surveys:

NCSSs often include food consumption surveys to gather information on the types and quantities of foods consumed by children under 59 months and Pregnant and Lactating Mothers within the community. These surveys may use methods such as 24-hour dietary recalls, food frequency questionnaires, or food diaries to assess dietary patterns and nutrient intake.

3. Anthropometric Measurements:

Anthropometric assessments are used to evaluate physical growth and nutritional status. Common measurements include height/length, weight (Z-score), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and skinfold thickness. These measurements can help identify malnutrition, stunting, wasting, and other growth-related issues.

4. Biochemical and Clinical Assessments:

In addition to anthropometric measurements, NCSSs may include biochemical tests to assess nutritional biomarkers in blood. These tests can provide objective data on nutrient deficiencies or imbalances, such as iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiencies. Clinical assessments may also be conducted to identify signs of nutritional deficiencies or related health conditions.

5. Surveillance of Determinants and Risk Factors:

NCSSs may also collect data on determinants and risk factors that influence nutritional status, such as socioeconomic status, food security, access to healthcare and nutrition services, cultural practices, and environmental factors (e.g., food availability, sanitation, hygiene).

6. Data Analysis and Reporting:

Similar to general Community Surveillance Systems, data collected through NCSSs are analyzed to identify trends, patterns, and disparities in nutritional status and related factors. Findings are typically reported to stakeholders, including policymakers, public health officials, healthcare providers, UN agencies and community organizations, to inform decision-making and interventions aimed at addressing nutritional issues. 

By systematically monitoring and evaluating nutritional status and related factors, NCSSs help identify populations at risk of malnutrition, track progress towards nutrition goals, and guide the development and implementation of targeted interventions to promote optimal nutrition and prevent malnutrition-related health problems.