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Woman undertaking nutrition assessment in Kenya.

Assessments

Learn more about our expertise and the impact we’ve made with nutrition assessments such as coverage assessments, Link NCA and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

We are experts in developing, optimising and implementing nutrition assessments to understand and address the causes of malnutrition, and improve nutrition programming.

By using a systematic process of collecting and interpreting information, nutrition assessments provide evidence to inform decisions, select priorities and develop strategies to fight malnutrition.

Types of nutrition assessment

Each type of nutrition assessment has a specific aim and purpose in the nutrition programme project cycle:

  • SMART nutrition surveys allow practitioners to quantify the scale of a problem.
  • Nutrition Causal Analyses (NCAs) show what might have caused it.
  • Coverage assessments evaluate how effective therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes are at meeting needs.
  • Cost Effectiveness Analyses evaluate the financial aspects of nutrition assessments.

A combination of some, or all, of these methodologies can contribute to a Nutrition Surveillance System.

Our impact

We have developed methodologies and supported teams to implement nutrition assessments across the world.
  • 250

    coverage assessments

    completed worldwide

  • 29

    countries

    55 Link NCA studies have been completed in rural and urban settings

  • 3

    months

    on average, the timescale for a cost-efficiency or cost-effectiveness analysis is three months

Coverage assessments

Coverage assessment methods measure the “treatment” coverage of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programmes. Methodologies can be adapted depending on the information required.

Our coverage advisors supported more than 250 coverage assessments worldwide. We also co-authored and piloted two leading coverage assessment methodologies used by nutrition programmes today:

  • Semi-Quantitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage (SQUEAC)
  • Simplified Lot Quality Assurance and Coverage (SLEAC)

Between 2012 and 2016, Action Against Hunger UK was the lead agency of the Coverage Monitoring Network, an inter-agency initiative designed to improve nutrition programmes through the promotion of quality coverage assessment tools, capacity building and information sharing.

We have developed standardised assessment tools and training packages for different types of coverage assessment methodologies, sharing the results via conferences and workshops. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we further adapted tools and training methods in response to travel restrictions.

Find out more about how we can help with coverage assessments.

Link NCA

The Link NCA method is a mixed method study to conduct a nutrition causal analysis. We developed Link NCA in 2010, under the supervision of a scientific committee composed of multi-sectoral experts from Action Against Hunger and leading researchers from Tufts University, the Institute of Research for Development and the World Food Programme.

Since then, we have refined the methodology and strengthened its evidence-based foundation.

To date, the Link NCA method has been conducted in 29 countries across three continents, in both rural and urban settings, volatile post-conflict settings, as well as in refugee camps.

Find out more about the support we offer for Link NCA.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) is used to compare the costs and outcomes of different interventions. CEA helps policymakers and programme managers achieve the maximum impact with their resources.

Unlike Cost-Benefit Analysis, which converts outcomes in monetary terms, CEA measures effectiveness in units such as cases treated, lives saved, or Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted.

Using CEA in nutrition programming maximises resource use, supports decision making, facilitates comparisons and aids scalability.

Find out more about how we can help assess cost effectiveness and cost efficiency.

Action Against Hunger team member holding MUAC malnutrition band.

Our areas of expertise

Learn more about our expertise in nutrition research, assessments, and the treatment and management of acute malnutrition, and how we support more effective nutrition programming.

Learn more