1. THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF RESEARCH ON WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY INDICATORS IN WEST AFRICA: A SYSTEMATIC MAP TO GUIDE DECISION-MAKING
Leah Salm Roos Verstraeten Lucy Billings International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Introduction
Results
The West Africa Region has been one of the slowest in reducing it’s many burdens of malnutrition. The World Health Assembly’s (WHA) 2025 nutrition targets were developed to track countries’ nutritional situations, and measure progress in reducing malnutrition. These indicators are therefore essential to guide decision making. Understanding the regional and in-country dynamics are an essential first step to highlight gaps and trends in evidence in the region.
Flow chart
Figure 1: number of studies per WHA indicator per country
WHA Indicators
Figure 2: Percent of publications per WHA indicator
Figure 3: Percent of publications within U5NS
Objective
This study aimed to identify and catalogue peer-reviewed research on the WHA indicators in West Africa, and create a map of recent research evidence to inform decision-making for nutrition policies and programs in the region.
Methods
The MEDLINE database was searched for research published from to April 2018.
Search terms were developed using the PICO framework to capture evidence on the problem (prevalence and drivers), programs, and policies relating to stunting, wasting and overweight in children under 5, low birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months, and anaemia in women of reproductive age.
A systematic approach was applied to literature searches, developing inclusion criteria, screening, coding, taxonomy, data extraction, and study synthesis. No quality appraisal of publications was undertaken
Figure 4: Select countries publishing over time
Figure 5: Distribution by study design
General Characteristics
Figure 6: Number of publications per focus of research in select countries
Focus of Research
Figure 7: Number of publications per WHA indicator and focus of research
Conclusion
This study identified trends and gaps in research that cover the WHA indicators across West Africa. Under five nutritional status indicators are collectively the most widely reported. The majority of papers report on the prevalence and driver of WHA indicators, and very few on programs or policy. These are potentially valuable insights for nutrition decision makers in the region. This map will be available online and updated annually to be used as a freely accessible resource for decision-makers at all levels.