Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS), Maban Refugee Camps - 2019

The UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys (SENS) provide regular nutrition data that plays a key role in delivering effective and timely interventions to ensure good nutritional outcomes among populations affected by forced displacement. UNHCR in collaboration with its partners, coordinated a SENS survey in Maban County between November 16th and December 4th in 2019. Maban County is in Upper Nile State in the North East of the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS). The refugee caseload is composed of Sudanese fleeing from the conflict in Blue Nile State in Sudan, residing in four refugee camps; Doro, Yusuf Batil, Gendrassa and Kaya. The overall aim of the survey was to assess the nutrition situation among the refugee population and to monitor ongoing programme interventions. In each of the camps a cross- sectional survey was conducted using the UNHCR Standardised Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) version 2, 2013 guidelines http://sens.unhcr.org/ and the Standardised Monitoring and Assessments of Relief and Transitions (SMART) guidelines https://smartmethodology.org/ . Systematic random sampling was used to identify the survey respondents. Three population groups; children 6-59 months, infants 0-5 months and women of reproductive age 15-49 years were included in the survey. Household level indicators on food security were measured in households whether they included the target population groups or not. A total of six survey teams composed of four members each (one team leader, one haemoglobin measurer, one anthropometric measurer and one anthropometric/haemoglobin measurement assistant carried out data collection in Doro camp. Data collection in the rest of the three camps (Gendrassa, Kaya and Yusuf Batil) was carried out by ten teams of four members. Two standardised trainings lasting five and four days respectively were conducted for Doro and the rest of the camps. The training included a standardisation and pilot test. The survey teams were supported by a team of 5 supervisors and 2 coordinators who roved between the teams during the data collection. Mobile phone questionnaires using Open Data Kit (ODK) android software for all the modules was used for data collection. Data validation was carried out daily by the survey coordinator/supervisors which allowed for daily feedback to the survey teams. Data analysis is currently on-going using ENA for SMART July 9th, 2015 version for anthropometric indices and Epi info version 7.2.3.1 for all other data.