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
20. Nutrition - Data sources
21. Nutrition - Interpretation and action
    1. Factors in interpreting data on acute protein-energy malnutrition
    2. Prevalence of acute protein-energy malnutrition
    3. Trends over time
    4. Underlying causes
    5. Malnutrition and mortality
    6. Interventions for acute PEM
    7. Interpreting results of micronutrient assessment
    8. Interventions for micronutrient deficiencies
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

Interventions for acute PEM

(go to Outline)

Because there are many important underlying causes of malnutrition, many of the routine interventions provided in humanitarian emergencies can lower the prevalence of acute protein-energy malnutrition. Some of these interventions include:

• Improving sanitation and water supply
• Providing appropriate curative treatment for malaria, pneumonia, and other infectious diseases
• Vaccinating children against measles
• Preventing the transmission of communicable diseases
• Distributing an adequate general ration
• Providing nutritional rehabilitation for malnourished individuals

This discussion cannot provide extensive information about supplementary and therapeutic feeding. For more information, see the following documents:

Click here for UNHCR/WFP. "UNHCR/WFP Guidelines for Selective Feeding Programmes in Emergency Situations." 1999

Click here for WHO. "The Management of Nutrition in Major Emergencies." 2000