What is the role of health informatics in nutrition research in South Sudan?

Health informatics can support nutrition research and programming in South Sudan by: integrating nutrition indicators (stunting, wasting, underweight) into the national health information system; developing electronic tools for nutrition screening and case management; using data analytics to identify geographic and demographic patterns in malnutrition; and supporting the evaluation of nutrition interventions. DHIS2 has nutrition modules that can be configured for South Sudan, and several NGOs are using mobile tools for nutrition screening in the field.

The SMART (Standardised Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions) methodology is widely used for nutrition surveys in South Sudan. Health informatics professionals can support SMART surveys by designing data collection tools, managing data quality, and analysing and presenting results. SSHIA training on health data analysis covers nutrition data management and analysis.