Inconsistencies in the findings of child nutrition surveys in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has been conducting nutrition surveys of young children at 2-3-y intervals since 1985. However, data on malnutrition determined on the basis of weight-for-age and height-for-age in different surveys are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons for inconsistencies in the findings of these surveys.

DESIGN

Although the regular personnel of the BBS collected data on anthropometry and age in the previous surveys, 1995-1996 data were collected by locally recruited workers. Data on 100 children included in the 1995-1996 survey were also independently collected by BBS personnel. A comparison of the data from these 2 sources and the inconsistencies therein form the basis of this study.

RESULTS

The average difference between the 2 sources (bias) was found to be approximately 1.8 mo for age and 0.13 cm for midupper arm circumference. Differences in weight and height were negligible; however, random error was found to be substantial in data on height.

CONCLUSIONS

Bias in age was thought to be mainly responsible for the inconsistencies in the measures of malnutrition in the different child nutrition surveys in Bangladesh. A method for accurately collecting age data needs to be developed on the basis of a study in a demographic surveillance area where accurate age data are available. Until such a method is fully developed, midupper arm circumference should be routinely collected in all nutrition surveys. The importance of accuracy in weight and height data is emphasized.