alternative approaches for nutrition data collection in developing countries

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