A Field Test of Three LQAS Designs to Assess the Prevalence of Acute Malnutrition

In emergency settings, governments and humanitarian organizations need reliable and timely data about the nutritional status of the population. The sampling method traditionally used to assess the prevalence of malnutrition in emergencies is a 30 x 30 cluster survey. This method provides statistically reliable results if implemented correctly, but with a sample size requirement of 900, can be time-consuming and expensive to carry out.

FANTA has been exploring the use of Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) as a rapid and cost-effective alternative for assessment of the prevalence of acute malnutrition. A study by FANTA, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Ohio State University (OSU), published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, field-tested the use of the LQAS designs in an emergency setting in Ethiopia. The study "A Field Test of Three LQAS Designs to Assess the Prevalence of Acute Malnutrition," concluded that LQAS designs provide statistically appropriate alternatives to the more time-consuming 30 x 30 cluster survey though additional field testing is necessary.

The article is available at no cost from the International Journal of Epidemiology website.