While answering a survey questionnaire, how do the respondents interpret the questions? What techniques of cognitive interviewing can facilitate appropriate framing of the questions? These are important considerations to have while designing survey questions to ensure that they clearly communicate the question’s intent and elicit responses aligned with the intended interpretation. To look at these concepts more closely, IFPRI—an implementing…
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Evidence and lessons on improving data use and quality in India’s nutrition program
To strengthen nutrition information systems and improve nutrition outcomes in India, we must improve data quality and facilitate the use of data at all levels. This was the theme of one of the key thematic sessions at ‘Delivering for Nutrition in India: Insights from Implementation Research 2020’, a virtual event co-hosted by Partnerships and Opportunities to Strengthen and Harmonize Actions…
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Measure & Adapt: How are school feeding programs changing during COVID-19?
Schools across the world closed alongside national lockdowns to contain the spread of COVID-19, leaving many children without access to school meals. Schools are important platforms for delivering high-impact health, nutrition-specific, and nutrition-sensitive interventions like school feeding programs. The World Food Programme (WFP) launched the Global Monitoring of School Meals during COVID-19 School Closures map in March 2020 to track…
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Unpacking a framework for measuring infant and young child feeding counselling coverage in household surveys
Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling is important to facilitate optimal feeding practices and improve child survival. I sat down with Sunny Kim, Research Fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute and DataDENT team member, to discuss the recent paper “Measuring coverage of infant and young child feeding counselling interventions: A framework and empirical considerations for survey question…
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Through the Eyes of the User: Tips for Producers of Global Nutrition Data Visualization Tools
Given the recent upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic and adjustments needed in planning, targeting, and implementation of programs, data is more important than ever before. In nutrition, we have seen a proliferation of global data visualization tools (DVTs). Data visualization aids audiences in interpreting data and focusing on key priorities (Evergreen, 2016). For example, nutrition advocates frequently include visualizations…
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Together for Nutrition: West African Data Forum Call to Action
In February 2020, DataDENT in collaboration Transform Nutrition West Africa (led by International Food Policy Research Institute), UNICEF, Countdown to 2030, CDC, WHO, WAHO, and NIPN co-convened Together for Nutrition: West African Data Forum. The convening had the following objectives: 1. Share national and regional achievements and challenges in operationalizing the data value chain for nutrition 2. Strengthen connectivity, coordination,…
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Tracking India’s Progress on Addressing Malnutrition: What Will it Take?
In collaboration with Partnerships and Opportunities to Strengthen and Harmonize Actions for Nutrition in India (POSHAN), DataDENT co-funded an activity identifying an indicator list and respective data availability for evidence-based interventions, determinants, and outcomes aligned with the POSHAN Abhiyaan framework. A blog post on this work is available here. A policy note summarizing findings can be viewed here.
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Webinar Round Up: Measuring food security and nutrition during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on food security and nutrition. Organizations and initiatives have shared webinars, blogs, and additional resources to help governments, donors, program implementors, and other stakeholders on how to monitor and assess how COVID-19 threatens food systems and nutritional status of populations. Below is a list of webinars on measuring food security and nutrition…
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How are nutrition data visualization tools (DVTs) in India supporting decision-makers?
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, the increasing demand and supply of data has spawned a breadth of data visualization tools (DVTs). Not surprisingly, we are witnessing an outpour of COVID-19 DVTs in India, including the Coronavirus India Dashboard and India COVID-19 tracker, among others. In both nutrition and the COVID-19 response, it is critical that DVTs are designed for their…
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Data for Nutrition Public Launch
Over the past several months, DataDENT has been coordinating the Data for Nutrition (DfN) Community of Practice—a free, online platform that provides members with opportunities to share knowledge, experience, and questions relevant to strengthening the nutrition data value chain at all levels for the purpose of achieving better nutritional outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Today, we are excited to…