Module 1. Planning and designing a micronutrient survey
Oversight committees for planning and implementation
Developing overall objectives of the survey
Defining the stratification and scope of the survey
Using anthropometry
Factors in micronutrient survey design and protocol development
Obtaining ethical approval
Introduction
Planning is an iterative process that ensures that changes to one aspect are accounted for in other aspects of the survey, including objectives, sample size and field logistics, and ensures that any revisions result in a plan that still fits within the budget. Planning and designing a micronutrient survey needs to take into consideration that the initial plan is likely to evolve depending on such factors as stakeholder priorities, sample size, budget, estimated costs, laboratory assays and field logistics. The following sections provide brief descriptions of points to consider when planning.
Box 1.1 presents a list of decisions to make when planning a micronutrient survey. The ”Initial Planning Checklist” online tool contains additional helpful information.
Box 1.1 Decisions to make when planning a survey
Decisions concerning survey objectives:
The rationale for the survey, informed by the Steering committee and Technical committee
The population groups to include for micronutrient and nutritional status assessment
Which micronutrients are critical to assess and are of programmatic interest
Whether to include anthropometric measurements to assess nutritional status
The existence of relevant national nutrition programmes that may be monitored, such as fortified food product coverage or quality
Decisions concerning survey protocol, budget, and timeline:
The desired precision of estimates for the main survey indicators within each stratum
Sample size calculations and sampling frame
The method of collection data (paper-based or electronic)
Biomarkers* and clinical indicators to assess micronutrient status, and methods for their analysis
Supplies and equipment required to conduct the training, fieldwork, and laboratory analyses
Logistics for implementing fieldwork and for transporting and storing samples and specimens
Development of the survey tool modules, including questions on programme/process, output, and outcome indicators
The protocol for managing data
Plans for the fieldwork training and pilot testing
Compensation for participants, if applicable (money, food products, or other)
The ethical approval process
Report writing
Dissemination to ensure use of the data
*In this context, a biomarker is a biologic indicator of micronutrient or related health status.
Comprehensive lab supply list
List contains the specifications of laboratory supplies and the contact details of suppliers
DownloadEquipment and Supplies List (single worksheet)
General spreadsheet enables the user to calculate a rough cost of the supplies and tests needed for a survey
DownloadGeneric Budget
Spreadsheet template used to generate a basic micronutrient survey budget (useful for initial survey planning)
DownloadGeneric Timeline
Gantt chart showing specific phases of the survey and when they will be complete
DownloadProtocol - generic nutrition survey
Outlines all sections to be included in the survey protocol with information on what to consider for each section
DownloadTOR for survey contracting company
Terms of reference for a company that will be used to coordinate the survey
DownloadMalawi Micronutrient Survey Protocol
Survey protocol developed for the 2015 Malawi national micronuturient survey
DownloadMalawi overview roles and responsibilities
Document outlining the roles and responsibilities of people involved in the Malawi 2009 survey
DownloadMicronutrient Survey Concept Note
Example of a 1-4 page concept note for a micronutrient survey
DownloadTanzania national survey report (2015)
Survey report from the fortification assessment coverage survey conducted in 2015
DownloadUganda - baseline supplies single worksheet
Supplies spreadsheet used for the nutrition survey in Uganda
Download