Nutrition Information and Analysis Systems in Yemen

Food and Nutrition Bulletin

The basic goal of nutrition surveillance is clearly stated in the theme of this symposium: to support "actions towards better nutrition. " It is also central to the definition of nutrition surveillance itself: "watch[ing] over nutrition in order to make decisions which will lead to improvements of nutrition in populations" [1]. The mandate is clear. The implementation process is not. Supporting actions towards better nutrition implies using information, which is a much more complex and uncertain matter than producing information. The production of information deals with data, whereas the use of information deals with persons, organizations, and society. Conditions for the use of surveillance information For nutrition surveillance to assist programme planning and management, it must develop in a supporting political and social context, have active and efficient managers, have a clearly defined scope, and communicate results in an appropriate fashion to decision makers. Ideally also it should produce the information near the decision makers.

Research Square (Research Square), 2024

Strengthening nutrition routine information system is critical to support nutrition programs with relevant data to inform decisionmaking. This study analyzed the practices and lessons learned from the implementation in Burkina Faso in strengthening nutrition routine data using institutionalized health management information systems for decision making. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Burkina Faso in two key stages: i)a baseline exploratory study conducted in 2018 through a multisectoral mapping of information systems using the review of the nutrition data available, individual interviews with 33 program and sector statistics specialists; and a national triangulation workshop with 42 participants from the data and program managers and partners in nutrition and made it possible to prioritize a reduced list of new key nutrition indicators to be tested in a small-scale phase. ii) a study in 2022 on the capitalization of best practices after 3 years of implementation through documentary review, semi-structured individual interviews with 64 key implementing informants spread over 3 health districts, 2 regional hospital centers and 2 health regions, and a national triangulation workshop with 40 implementing actors, including 20 from the central level, 15 from the decentralized level, and 5 partners. Results: The results of the study show, among other ndings, the best practices and progress identi ed below: i) the integration of new routine data elements and nutrition indicators into District Health Information Software (DHIS2), which lled the data gap for adequate monitoring of the nutrition program; ii) the design and use of the nutrition indicator dashboard; iii) data validation and performance review sessions which have improved the quality and use of routine data in decision-making ; and iv) decentralization of the entry of monthly activity reports of health facilities. Lessons learned included: i) conducting a small-scale phase to test the indicators is an important step to take before national scale-up of the indicators; ii) a participatory approach involving all actors at different levels is important; iii) advocacy is important to integrate prevention indicators into health facilities in a more curative-oriented health system; iv) the decentralized entry of data is a best practice that improves data quality in terms of timeliness, completeness, and internal consistency. Conclusion: Beyond the inclusion of indicators, special emphasis should be placed on working on data quality. Future experiences in re ning routine data related to sensitive nutrition interventions in the non-health sectors are key next steps that would further contribute to strengthening the national nutrition information system.

Children

The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged that, as health services divert their attention to the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of essential nutrition services may be compromised. This impact may be more pronounced in the context of humanitarian crises, such as the one currently unfolding in Yemen. In line with Pillar 9 of the WHO’s COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, this paper reports on the nutrition program adaptations in Yemen to maintain the delivery of essential nutrition services to under-five children. The process of adaptation focused on the services provided within the nutrition surveillance system (NSS), therapeutic feeding centers (TFC), and isolation units (IU). It was conducted in five steps: (1) situation analysis; (2) development of guidance documents; (3) consultation process; (4) capacity-building programs; and (5) incorporation of programmatic adaptation within nutrition services. As of September 2020, NSS, TFC, and IUs services have shifte...

National Nutrition Information System: Technical Note: Building a Strong Core Team, 2024

The Technical Note on Building a Strong Core Team is a component of the full guide on National Nutrition Information Systems (NNIS), a product of the WHO-UNICEF Technical Expert Advisory group on nutrition Monitoring (TEAM), which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The TEAM Working Group on Nutrition Information Systems was responsible for the development of this Technical Note. TEAM acknowledges the contributions of David Hales (Consultant), Chika Hayashi (UNICEF Headquarters), Rebecca Heidkamp (TEAM Working Group Lead), Noreen Mucha (consultant), Louise Mwirigi (UNICEF Headquarters) and Kuntal Saha (WHO Headquarters), who conceptualized and led the production of this document, including its writing and revision. The Working Group acknowledges the contributions of Julia D’Aloisio (Editor) and Nona Reuter (Designer, UNICEF). The Working Group is also grateful to nutrition colleagues who reviewed the draft and shared specific experiences and insights.

Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 2020

2008

Nutrients

This review study aimed to assess the nutrition situation in the UAE using published data from 2010 to 2022. It highlights the gaps and challenges that prevail in addressing the nutrition-related problems in the UAE and the opportunities that have been overlooked. The available literature indicates that the UAE is burdened with more than one form of nutrition-related problems, including being underweight, being overweight, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and nutrition-related chronic diseases. It is clear that data on micronutrient deficiencies, protein-energy malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition-related diseases among the UAE population are extremely scarce. The UAE has a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes; however, limited studies have been conducted to document this nutritional phenomenon. Few examples of published data are available assessing the burden of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children under five years of age. Despite the impor...

1999

Nutrition information systems (NIS) provide the information needed for planning and implementing nutrition investment programs. This paper develops a framework to analyze NIS in the study countries. Existing NIS elements in the study countries are reviewed, making recommendations for improvements. Key findings include the need for national household probability surveys that are synchronized among countries and repetitive over time, including information related to both general and micronutrient malnutrition; simplified, routine program information systems that include information use from the household level up, and that take advantage of emerging information technologies; operations research and training for effective growth monitoring and promotion programs; and evaluation research, especially within the first five years, to guide the development of cost-effective country programs. Advocacy and substantial investments in capacity building will be required to ensure that staff from...

… Science Reports. The journal of field …, 2010

2019

Nutrition Informatics is under the umbrella of health informatics. Where if focuses on nutritional value that addresses the prevention of deadly health related illness and aims to aid towards a deteriorating health of Saudi nationals including Filipino expatriates in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Since one of the most common outlet of all residents in Saudi Arabia were to meet with friends and relatives to eat, while joining a fitness gym was very expensive, the residents are facing health issues that could destroy their dreams, career and even their own life. Without proper information and control, this could lead to an illness of hypertension, diabetic and obesity. These are the 3 prevalent illness in Saudi Arabia even for the nationals in the Kingdom [1],[2]. This article seeks to look at the nutritional aspect of health informatics. Though it will touch a lot of aspect under healthcare, it’s direction is to show the importance of having the right food and nutrition, combined with proper exercise which will prevent a long illness and disease.