alternative approaches for nutrition data collection in developing countries
TRANSCRIPT
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR NUTRITION DATA COLLECTION IN NUTRITION DATA COLLECTION IN
DEVELOPING COUNTRIESDEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Aspects Covered:Aspects Covered: Field Research In Developing
Countries Purpose Conditions Challenges
Adapting Tools for Nutrition Field Research
Tools Tested
Purpose of Field ResearchPurpose of Field Research
To Learn Community Practices• Agriculture,• Nutrition, Child rearing, etc
Identify Community Needs• Felt Needs• Unfelt Needs
Purpose of Field ResearchPurpose of Field Research
Identified Practices Could Be:• Positive: to be encouraged• Harmful: to be discouraged
through education
Enablers of Field ResearchEnablers of Field Research
Resources/ Researchers Side• Expertise• Time • Budget, etc
Resources/ Community Side:• Acceptance• Time• Literacy level, etc.
Field Research: Challenges for Field Research: Challenges for Nutrition EducatorsNutrition Educators
Limited Services:• Telephone Survey• Questionnaire• Email
Literacy Level:• Food Records• Food Frequencies
Diminishing Food Resources
Not applicable
Questionable
What Alternatives Are What Alternatives Are There?There?
The Challenge for Nutrition The Challenge for Nutrition Profession:Profession:
To Respond to Household Needs• In Special Way that Balances:
Current Knowledge Indigenous Skills
Adapting Methods for Nutrition Adapting Methods for Nutrition Field ResearchField Research
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA):
Focuses on full participation of a given community in studying community needs, planning, implementing and assessing intervention impacts.
PRA GuidelinesPRA Guidelines
Respect/ Humility
Complete Ignorance
Diversity of Analysis
Continuity
Adaptable TechniquesAdaptable Techniques
1 . Mapping2 . Transect Walk3 . Individual Case Studies4 . Seasonality Analysis5 . Ranking and Scoring6 . Historical Profiles
Adaptable PRA Techniques Adaptable PRA Techniques for Nutrition Field Researchfor Nutrition Field Research
Mapping:• Method for Visual
Representation of Study Area
• Drawn by Study Participants
• Practical Entry Point for Discussion
• Helps to Explore Community Resources
Example: Ask participants
to locate related places
How does distance affect food intake?
What do participants recommend?
MapsMaps
Study Area
Transect WalkTransect Walk A systematic walk in a study
area with key informants.
Individual Case StudiesIndividual Case Studies
In-depth Study of:• Individuals• Nutritional
practices• Farming
Systems,• Etc.
Example for Nutrition
Why are some children healthy while some are not, given the same living situations?
Seasonality AnalysisSeasonality Analysis
Helps to assess:
• Opportunities affecting living situations
• Seasonal Constraints
Examples for Nutrition Use
Market Food PricesFood AvailabilityLabor DemandIncome ExpenditureDisease IncidencesDaily Routines
Ranking & ScoringRanking & ScoringMethod for
Identifying:• Preferences• Local criteria's
Related Techniques• Wealth Ranking• Proportional Pilling
Examples for Nutrition Use
Choices b/t food groups Food distribution Food Expenses Selection of risk groups Identifying priority areas, etc
Wealth Ranking - CattleWealth Ranking - Cattle
Rich Middle Poor
Sidama 10-20 5-10 0-1
Hadiya > 10 3-8 0-1
Gurage 5 2-3 0-1
Wolayta > 2 1 0-1
Historical ProfilesHistorical Profiles A detailed account
of the past. Indicates:
• Trends• Relationships• Changes over time
Note: elderly groups are good resources.
Casual free conversation
Example for Nutrition Use
Indicates:Changes of food
consumption patternsFactors for such
changesAre the changes
positive or negative?Possible solution/
Suggestions
Means For Reducing Possible BiasMeans For Reducing Possible Bias Acknowledge: bias
will be there, but try to minimize it!
Possible Bias :
Frame related:• Old listing ( Missing,
or foreign elements)• Wealth ranking bias• Instrument related
(check list, items for ranking, seasonality analysis)
• Interviewer bias
Cross check listing
Adequate discussion
Watch for sizes/uniformity
Provide training
Explain purpose
AssumptionsAssumptions
Instrument developed enabled to get the right information
Training & interviewing process has enabled to control possible biases
AssumptionsAssumptions
Wealth classification is realistic to local situation.
Participants have given realistic answers.
Thank you