The use of epidemiological tools in conflict-affected populations: open-access educational resources for policy-makers

Table of Contents

1. Welcome
2. Introduction: Epidemiology in crises
3. Ethical issues in data collection
4. Need for epidemiologic competence
5. Surveys - Introduction
6. Surveys - Description of sampling methods
7. Surveys - Sampling error, bias, accuracy, precision, & sample size
8. Surveys - Resources required for surveys
9. Surveys - Critiquing survey reports
10. Surveillance - When to do surveillance
11. Surveillance - Methods
12. Surveillance - Common problems
13. Programme data
14. Rapid assessment
15. Mortality - Indicators and their measurement
16. Mortality - Data sources
17. Mortality - Interpretation and action
18. Nutrition - Introduction and background
19. Nutrition - Indicators and their measurement
    1. Introduction to anthropometry
    2. Anthropometric indices
    3. Reference populations
    4. Calculation of percent of median
    5. Oedema
    6. Calculation of z-scores
    7. Adults and body mass index (BMI)
    8. Micronutrients - Clinical indicators
    9. Micronutrients - Biochemical indicators
    10. Calculating prevalence
20. Nutrition - Data sources
21. Nutrition - Interpretation and action
22. Health services
23. Vaccination programmes
24. Water supply, sanitation, and shelter
25. Violence
26. Presentation of results
27. Formulating conclusions and recommendations
28. Dissemination and action

Introduction to anthropometry

(go to Outline)

• Anthropometry is the most common technique used to assess the presence and degree of protein-energy malnutrition.

• Anthropometry is the measurement of body parameters to indicate nutritional status.

• Anthropometry can be used to measure an individual to determine if he or she needs nutrition intervention or it can be used to measure many individuals to determine if malnutrition is a problem in a population.

Some common anthropometric measurements include:

• Height or length
• Weight
• Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)
• Demi-span or arm span
• Knee height
• Sitting height
• Skin fold thickness
• Head circumference

Height (or length) and weight are the most common anthropometric measures used to indicate protein-energy nutritional status in emergencies.