SMART Nutrition & WASH Survey

Objective:

SMART Nutrition & WASH Survey  

About Project 
Concern Worldwide has been implementing the project titled “Integrated Multi-Sector Support to Nutrition-at-Risk Communities in Sindh, Pakistan,” aimed at improving the resilience of drought-affected populations in the Umerkot and Tharparkar districts. The principal objective of this project is to address the immediate humanitarian needs of these communities through a coordinated response focusing on nutrition, food security and livelihoods (FSL), and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

In the Umerkot district, the Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates are alarmingly high, exceeding both the provincial average and the global emergency threshold of 15%. To assess the malnutrition situation, identify contributing factors, and design life-saving interventions for children and women, Concern Worldwide, in collaboration with the District Health Department and the Provincial Nutrition Cell, plans to conduct a SMART nutrition survey. The survey will provide crucial data to guide interventions aimed at preventing and treating malnutrition in these vulnerable communities.

  1. Purpose and Objectives

Overall, Purpose: The SMART Survey aims to measure the extent and severity of undernutrition among children aged 6-59 months in 12 Union Councils of Taluka Umerkot, District Umerkot, Sindh Province, Pakistan.

Specific Objectives:

  1. Prevalence of Malnutrition: Estimate the prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months.
  2. Maternal Malnutrition: Estimate the prevalence of acute malnutrition among Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW).
  3. Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices: Assess current IYCF practices among children aged 0-23 months.
  4. Mortality Rates: Assess crude mortality rates (CMR) and under-five mortality rates (U5MR).
  5. Health Indicators: Evaluate morbidity, immunization coverage (measles and BCG), and Vitamin A supplementation coverage among children aged 6-59 months.
  6. WASH Practices: Examine the population’s access to and use of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices.

This survey will provide a comprehensive understanding of the nutrition and health challenges faced by the communities in Umerkot, informing targeted interventions to combat malnutrition and improve overall health outcomes.

Services Provided:

Momentum, in partnership with Concern Worldwide and the District Health Department of Umerkot, Sindh, carried out a SMART (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions) nutrition survey. The objective was to evaluate the nutritional status of children under five years of age and Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) in the drought-stricken Umerkot district. This survey aimed to identify the extent of malnutrition and guide effective interventions.

  1. Desk Review: An initial desk review was conducted to gather relevant secondary data on the nutritional status, health indicators, and socio-economic conditions of Umerkot. This review laid the groundwork for the sampling design and survey planning.
  2. Sampling Design: Using ENA for SMART software, a precise sampling framework was established. ENA software facilitated the design of a statistically valid sampling strategy, ensuring that the survey accurately represented the district’s population. EPI Info software was then used for generating the random sample of 415 households, covering both urban and rural areas.
  3. Data Collection: Data collection was executed with the aid of both ENA for SMART and EPI Info software. ENA for SMART was used to capture and validate anthropometric measurements, while EPI Info was employed for real-time data entry and monitoring. Field teams were trained to use these tools effectively for accurate data gathering on nutritional status, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) indicators.
  4. Data Analysis: The data collected was analyzed using EPI Info, which provided essential statistical tools for calculating key indicators such as Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). ENA for SMART was utilized to cross-check and validate these findings, ensuring comprehensive analysis of the nutritional data.
  5. Reporting: A detailed report was compiled, incorporating findings from both ENA for SMART and EPI Info analyses. The report highlighted the prevalence of malnutrition, stunting, and underweight among children, and included recommendations for targeted interventions.

Momentum’s use of both ENA for SMART and EPI Info software enabled a thorough assessment of the nutritional status in Umerkot. The results provided valuable insights for developing effective strategies to address malnutrition and improve health outcomes in the affected communities.

Project Team:

Muhammad Tanveer
Dr. Shafique
Zahid
Khalid