Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) Nutritional Survey in West Omo Zone, Southwest Ethiopia Regional State

Principal investigator

Cheick Oumar Doumbia

Location

Ethiopia
Topics

Neonatal and child health, Nutrition, Vaccination
Methodology

Observational study
Reference

WACA025-11
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Purpose of study

Study status

Concept
Protocol & ERB
Implementation
Completion
Archived

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Purpose of study

West Omo Zone in Southwest Ethiopia has been identified as an area requiring focused attention regarding child nutrition. Recent health monitoring data indicates that approximately 5% of children under five experience Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), while 19% show signs of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), and 24% demonstrate Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM). These findings suggest the need for continued monitoring and program strengthening. The current situation reflects several areas for potential improvement in health service delivery. Routine nutrition screening at community level could be enhanced to better identify at-risk children. Water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in health facilities present opportunities for improvement, with current water availability reported at less than 10 liters per patient per day. The zone has also experienced disease patterns including malaria and measles that may impact nutritional status, with 888,922 malaria cases reported in the Southwest Region in 2024 and 3,894 measles cases in West Omo Zone during 2023. Health system capacity shows room for strengthening, with 44% of stabilization centres currently operational. Some challenges exist regarding consistent availability of essential medicines and trained health staff. This assessment aims to provide updated information to support ongoing efforts to improve nutrition services and outcomes in West Omo Zone. This study will conduct a systematic assessment of child nutritional status across West Omo Zone using standardized SMART methodology. The survey will measure malnutrition prevalence while examining key contributing factors including household food security, infant feeding practices, disease patterns, and water-sanitation conditions. The assessment will directly shape MSF WaCA's operational strategy by mapping malnutrition hotspots to guide geographic targeting of interventions. It will quantify needs for both outpatient therapeutic feeding programs (OTP) and inpatient stabilization centres (SC) services, while identifying contextual risk factors requiring integrated WASH and health promotion activities. The findings will specifically inform MSF WaCA's operational planning, including site selection for fixed and mobile clinics, staffing and supply chain requirements, and community engagement approaches. Results will be shared with the Southwest Ethiopia Regional Health Bureau and Zonal Health Department to support government-led nutrition programming and inform planning decisions. As a baseline assessment, the survey will enable monitoring and evaluation of intervention progress over time, allowing measurement of program impact and necessary adjustments. Humanitarian partners including UNICEF and WFP may reference the findings to align their support with government priorities. The assessment ultimately aims to provide actionable, evidence-based information to all stakeholders working to improve child nutrition outcomes in West Omo Zone through coordinated, effective interventions.