SEC3-Profile

sec3title.jpg (10154 bytes)

Creating a situation profile naturally follows data cleaning as a method of summarizing the descriptive data about the region of interest. The situation profile allows the analyst to display the population characteristics (demographic, socioeconomic, health, and nutrition) in a usable format that will be both the first step of reporting as well as a reference during further analysis. The situation profile pulls information from many sources other than the survey in order to provide relevant information that can be used as a point of reference during analysis. This step, therefore, brings perspective as it allows the analyst to step away from the data set and look at the situation on a broader scope. Data in the situation profile might come from national statistics, compilations by UNICEF, WHO, NGOs in the region, etc.

When summarizing information for the situation profile, many styles of display and methods of summary may be used. For micronutrient data, information about prevalence of nutritional deficiencies, legislation concerning nutrition, program monitoring (such as distribution of vitamin A capsule, iodine capsule, iodized salt, iron tablets for pregnant women and children), food fortification, as well as the socioeconomic and demographic information are all important for a profile. As for display style, it might be useful to show the information available for marked intervals (say 5 years and 10 years ago) as well as for regions (ecologic or political divisions) as means of comparison (trends).

Mapping is another helpful method for summarizing data (although PANDA is not currently including mapping as a part of the training), it is recommended for effective data display if the technology is available (MAP-INFO, GIS, EPI-MAP, etc.). As a part of creating a situation profile, include a current map obtained from other sources (usually) as a quick visual reference to political divisions and geography of the area.

An example of a profile for Nepal is given using data from several sources, primarily the data summarized by the Center for International Health Information on a website called Data On-Line for Population, Health, and Nutrition (DOLPHN) : http://www.cihi.com/DOLPHN.htm

This website provides information on countries and regions around the world from sources such as WHO, DHS, UNICEF, and others. If you are adventurous and have the time, it can be used to try mapping.

To reference current information on micronutrients specifically, use the web site maintained by the Micronutrient Initiative, an international secretariat established in 1992 that supports elimination of micronutrient malnutrition. The MI keeps a global database called the MN-NET, which provides country level data for vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and iodine deficiency disorders. The information available includes prevalence information, policy and legislation, programs (supplementation, fortification, dietary change and others), and monitoring. The link to the MN-NET is: http://www.mn-net.org

Situation Profile for Nepal

Indicator	Value	Year and Source
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC Total Population (000s) Urban Percent Women Ages 15-49 (000s) Infant Mortality Rate Under 5 Mortality Rate Life Expectancy At Birth Number Of Births (000s) Annual Infant Deaths (000s) Total Fertility Rate	21,042 13 4,814 83 118 52 791.8 65.7 5.3	1994 US Bureau of the Census. International Database. 1994 Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, UN. World Pop. Prospects. 1995 Calculated deaths occurring to children <1 yr. Figures based on births times IMR. 1994 Infant mortality curve based on BUCEN (92) estimates and supplemented with UN 1994. 1994 Under 5 mortality rate calculated from IMR using ABSS equation. 1994 US Bureau of Census (BUCEN). International data base. 1994 Annual number women 15-49 using percentage derived by UN pop data. 1994 Calculated number of live births to women of reproductive age (15-49) in 1995. 1994 Dept of International Economic and Social Affairs, UN. World Population Prospects.
NUTRITION and Micronutrients % Adequate nutrition status Prevalence of goitre (TGR in school age children) Prevalence of anemia (pregnant women Hb<11g/dl) Prevalence of clinical (XN+XIB) VAD (preschool children) Legislation for IDD Legislation for IDA Legislation for VAD Programs on MN supplementation Iodine Iron Vitamin A Programs on MN fortification (foods fortified) Iodine Iron Vitamin A	21 40 33 3 yes no yes yes, iodized oil yes, iron folate tabs in pregnancy yes, vit A caps to children on NIDs yes, salt no yes, oil and sugar under evaluation	1975 Nepal Nutrition Status Survey, Jan-May 1975. 1985-1986 National Prevalence Survey in Nepal. MN-NET at www.mn-net.org, from a 1972 sub-national survey in women 15-49. MN-NET from a 1996 national survey. MN-NET from ICCIDD contributions. MN-NET MN-NET from UNICEF 97 and OMNI 98. MN-NET MN-NET
OTHER HEALTH INDICATORS Adult HIV prevalence Access to potable water, urban Access to potable water, rural Access to sanitation, urban 52 Access to sanitation, rural Deliveries/trained attendant	0.051 67 39 52 3 6	1994 WHO Global Pgm on AIDS, Dec 15, 1995. 1991 WHO/ UNICEF Joint Monitoring Pgm. Sector Status as of Dec 1991. 1991 " 1991 " 1991 " 1988 WHO Global Strategy for All by the Year 2000. (WHO/MCH/MSM/91.3)

Once the situation profile is complete, it can be used for reference for data derived from the data set being analyzed and it can be updated to indicate new data found in the data set, allowing for some estimation of changes over time, or trends in the data. It will be possible at times to make comparisons for national level data collected on the same indicators in order to see if the country is moving towards a national or regional goal. To look at little closer at situation profile tailored to VAD, IDA, or IDD follow the links at the top.