DataDENT hosted a Scientific Symposium at the IUNS- ICN 2025 conference that presented a synthesis of our work to improve the collection and use of multisector intervention coverage data.

Objectives:

1. To identify common challenges with current approaches to population-based measurement of the reach of nutrition interventions across sectors in LMIC
2. To share findings from several recent multi-country research studies that aimed to address measurement challenges by improving questionnaires and methodologies for household-level data collection and developing innovative analytical approaches that facilitate data use
3. To share resources and lessons learned that will facilitate the uptake of these tools and methods by others

Co-chairs: Masresha Tessema, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) & Rebecca Heidkamp, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg SPH

Presentations:

• What do and don’t we currently know about who is being reached with effective nutrition interventions in LMIC: Rebecca Heidkamp, Johns Hopkins BSPH
• Learning to ask better questions: findings from formative research and validation studies with household survey participants: Sunny Kim, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) & Melinda Munos, Johns Hopkins BSPH
• Collecting more with less: learning from experiences implementing new comprehensive nutrition intervention coverage modules and using mobile phone approaches: Swetha Manohar, IFPRI & Melinda Munos, Johns Hopkins BSPH
• Making sense from data: sharing analytical approaches that capture the co-location of interventions in key populations and address data gaps: Phuong Hong Nguyen, IFPRI
• Policy implications and key takeaways: Masresha Tessema, EPHI