Technical errors of measurement in the diagnosis of child malnutrition: Data from ACF interventions between 2001 and 2010

Marrodán; M. D.1; 2; Cabañas; M. D.1; Gómez; A.3; González-Montero de Espinosa; M.1; López- Ejeda; N.1; 2; Martínez-Álvarez; J. R.1; 2; Moreno-Romero; S.1; Rivero; E.3; Sánchez-Álvarez; M.1; Villarino; A.1; 2

Author(s): MarrodÃ¡n, M. D.1,2; CabaÃ±as, M. D.1; GÃ³mez, A.3; GonzÃ¡lez-Montero de Espinosa, M.1; LÃ³pez- Ejeda, N.1,2; MartÃnez-Ãlvarez, J. R.1,2; Moreno-Romero, S.1; Rivero, E.3; SÃ¡nchez-Ãlvarez, M.1; Villarino, A.1,2

We analyze the quality of the anthropometric measurements made by 199 anthropometrists who acted in 17 nutritional surveys conducted by ACF in Afgha - nistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Mali, Republic of Myanmar and the Philippines. For the three dimensions analyzed: weight, height and arm circumference (MUAC) the technical error of measurement (TEM) is acceptable, although it is over high than standardization values, outlined in the Multicenter Growth Reference Study of the World Helath Organization (WHO). The level of competence anthropometrists teams that measured in the 17 interventions differ significantly. The relative technical error of measurement (TEM%) exceeds the tolerance for the weight in one survey and five for MUAC. With respect to the TEM% inter-observer is in a suitable range for height and weight, but exceeds the recommended tolerance level in 11 of the 17 intervention campaigns. It is recommended to emphasize the training of technical staff in charge of taking anthropometric measurements and take special care in measuring the MUAC.