Capsular Course on Nutrition Epidemiology: Module 1 – Survey Methods
The first module of the course aimed at enhancing the knowledge on survey research techniques and various indicators of nutritional assessment, application of research methodology in different research and programmatic outcomes; estimation and implications of measurement errors in nutritional epidemiological research; conducting and interpreting epidemiological research focused on the relationship of diet and disease.
The first module of the course – Module-1: Survey Methods – was conducted at Lady Irwin College during 26-29 October 2018. This module aimed at enhancing the knowledge on the history of nutrition programmes in India and emerging issues, the survey research techniques and various indicators of nutritional assessment, increasing application of research methodology in different research and programmatic outcomes; understand sources, estimation and implications of measurement errors in nutritional epidemiological research; understand, apply and critique the use of sampling and study designs to be able to get statistically meaningful data; and collaborate efficiently with epidemiologists, clinicians, nutritionists and statisticians on designing, planning, conducting and interpreting epidemiological research focused on the relationship of diet and disease.
Overall, 41 participants from the organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, Piramal Foundation, NIN, AIIMS, etc. completed the course and awarded the “certificate of attendance”.
Three senior professors/professors from IIPS were the key facilitators to deliver the course contents to participants. These were Prof Ladu Singh, Dr Abhishek Singh and Dr Kaushalendra Kumar. In addition, four specialised sessions were organised by guest speakers during the course. The topics included – overview of nutrition programs and survey with emerging issues, and the overview of recently conducted Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) with emphasis on the anthropometric measurements and challenges and lessons learned during implementation. Dr Sheila Vir (PHNDC), Dr Purnima Menon (IFPRI), Mr Robert Johnston and Dr Praween Agrawal (UNICEF India).
The topics covered in the course included- Overview of nutrition programs in India, overview of nutrition surveys in India, introduction to survey research, sampling frame and basics of sampling design Determination of Sample size, sampling weights, ethical issues in large scale surveys, practical exercise on determination of sample size using SPSS/STATA, collection of anthropometric data in the comprehensive national nutrition survey (CNNS).