PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988-2001 2 The use of wealth ranking in nutrition surveys in Sudan

Document begins: PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988­2001 2 The use of wealth ranking in nutrition surveys in Sudan Helen Young There are few practical examples of the use of food insecurity on some of the worst drought RRA in the field of health and nutrition affected communities in North Darfur. described in the literature. This paper describes the use of wealth ranking as part of Our initia l surveys carried out in May-June rapid nutritional assessments undertaken in 1988 reported alarmingly high rates of Darfur by an Oxfam nutrition team led by malnutrition in three communities in North myself. The assessments were unique in East Darfur, namely Malha, Mareiga and approach as they combined two Cuma. By September malnutrition had further complementary techniques; wealth ranking deteriorated to more than 25% of children (Grandin, 1988) and measurements of the rates malnourished. Malnutrition is defined as of malnutrition in the community. below 80% of the reference median weight for height (NCHS/WHO reference population Wealth ranking showed us the peoples' (WHO 19-86)). perceptions of differences in wealth between families who had malnourished children. This For Darfur as whole a reasonably good harvest provided us with a useful framework in which was expected in November ...