IZiNCG is pleased to share the report Inclusion of Micronutrient Biomarkers in National Surveys and Surveillance Systems: Barriers and Enablers. This work was conducted with the support of the Micronutrient Forum.
Including biomarkers of micronutrient status in existing or planned national surveys or surveillance systems would dramatically improve capacity to promote, design, monitor and evaluate micronutrient policies and programs. Ultimately, investing in better data would yield healthier populations, safer programs and cost savings.
Yet, the availability of nationally representative micronutrient biomarker data in low- and middle income countries (LMICs) is scarce. Taking plasma/serum zinc concentrations among pre-school children as an example, only 26 LMICs have published data.
“Micronutrient deficiencies are estimated to impact a significant number of people around the world, but there remains far too little information on micronutrient status and deficiencies. More essential information and surveillance need to be gathered to make substantial progress on global targets.”
Global Nutrition Report 2018
The objectives of this study were to identify barriers to, and enablers of, the inclusion of micronutrient biomarkers in national surveys and surveillance systems. IZiNCG conducted a series of key informant interviews with in-country and external representatives from six countries where national-level data on micronutrient status had been collected in the past five years: Cambodia, Pakistan, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana and Uzbekistan.
The most important and frequently reported barrier to inclusion of a more comprehensive panel of micronutrient biomarkers was inadequate funding to cover the analysis cost for all micronutrients considered at the planning stage. Government support and commitment was stressed as the most important enabling factor by all key informants. For the findings in full, please read the report here.
What can be done to address the barriers identified in the report, and see more countries including micronutrient biomarkers in national surveys? This project is part of a wider collaborative effort led by the Micronutrient Forum aimed at increasing the availability and utilization of high-quality data on micronutrient status at the national/sub-national levels in LMICs. Read more in this recent publication.
Last updated: June 9, 2021