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This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Lao PDR statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Lao statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Lao-specific metadata information.

Goal

SDG 2: Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Target

2.2 By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the international agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.

Indicator

2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting (height for age <-2 standard deviations from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age

Series

2.2.1 Proportion of children moderately or severely stunted

Metadata update

22 June 2021

Organisation

Lao Statistics Bureau

Contact person(s)

Mr.Vilaysook SISOULATH

Contact organisation unit

Department of Social Statistics

Contact person function

Deputy Director General

Contact phone

+856 20 55 795 043

+856 21 214 740

Contact mail

N/A

Contact email

vilaysooks@gmail.com

lstats@lsb.gov.la

Definition and concepts

Definition:

Prevalence of stunting (height-for-age <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age.

Unit of measure

Percent, %

Data sources

The Lao Social Indicator Survey II (LSIS II) 2017

Data collection method

Data are collected through household survey-anthropometric measurement.

The Lao Social Indicator Survey II (LSIS II) was carried out in 2017 by Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sport, as part of the Global Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Programme.

Sampling approach: Two-stage, stratified cluster sampling.

Questionnaires:

Type of interview: Face-to-face. MICS survey utilized Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) starting in 2017 round.

Fieldwork duration: 06 July to 06 November 2017

Data processing. The data collection application was based on the CSPro (Census and Survey Processing System) software, Version 6.3, including a MICS dedicated data management platform. Procedures and standard programs2 developed under the global MICS programme and adapted to the LSIS II, 2017 questionnaire were used throughout. The CAPI application was tested in Vientiane Capital and Vientiane Province in January. Based on the results of the CAPI-test, modifications were made to the questionnaires and application.

Training: Training for the fieldwork was conducted for 31 days between June and July 2017. Training included lectures on interviewing techniques and the contents of the questionnaires, and mock interviews between trainees to gain practice in asking questions. Participants first completed full training on paper questionnaires, followed by training on the CAPI application. The trainees spent three days in field practice and one day on a full pilot survey in Vientiane province. The training agenda was based on the standard MICS6 training agenda.

Enumerators (data collectors) received dedicated training on anthropometric measurements and water quality testing for a total of seven days, including three days in field practice and pilot survey. Field Supervisors attended additional training on the duties of team supervision and responsibilities.

Fieldwork: The data were collected by 25 teams; each was comprised of four interviewers, one driver, two measurers and a supervisor. Fieldwork began in July 2017 and concluded in November 2017. Data was collected using tablet computers running the Windows 10 operating system, utilising a Bluetooth data transfer application for field operations, enabling transfer of assignments and completed questionnaires between supervisor’s and interviewer’s tablets.

For detailed methodology, please see the survey report.

(Link provided in the reference section).

Data collection calendar

Every five years, next collection period is July to November 2022

Data release calendar

one year after the reference year, November 2023

Data providers

Lao Statistics Bureau

Data compilers

Lao Statistics Bureau

Institutional mandate

Data collection, processing, dissemination and use of statistics for this indicator is in accordance with the Statistics Law 2017; the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Statistical System (NSSDSS) 2016-2020; and the Vision for 2030.

Rationale

Child growth is an internationally accepted outcome reflecting child nutritional status. Child stunting refers to a child who is too short for his or her age and is the result of chronic or recurrent malnutrition. Stunting is a contributing risk factor to child mortality and is also a marker of inequalities in human development. Stunted children fail to reach their physical and cognitive potential. Child stunting is one of the World Health Assembly nutrition target indicators.

Comment and limitations

Survey estimates come with levels of uncertainty due to both sampling error and non-sampling error (e.g. mesasurement technical error, recording error etc.). Caveats and limitations inherent to survey data applies.

Method of computation

Survey estimates are based on standardized methodology using the WHO Child Growth Standards.

Reference: Anthro software manual, https://www.who.int/childgrowth/software/anthro_pc_manual_v322.pdf

Validation

Standard data review and validation protocols were implemented from data collection, processing, calculation to finalization and publication of the results of the survey.

Likewise, consultation process with line ministries and partner agencies on the national data submitted for the SDGs Indicators were conducted prior to the publication of results

Quality management

Managing the quality of the indicator is guided by the Lao PDR Statistics Law of 2017 and in accordance with the recommendations of the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

Quality assurance

Team supervisors were responsible for the daily monitoring of fieldwork. Mandatory re-interviewing was implemented on one household per cluster. Daily observations of interviewer skills and performance was conducted. During the fieldwork period, each team was visited multiple times by survey management team members and field visits were arranged for UNICEF MICS Team members.

Throughout the fieldwork, field check tables (FCTs) were produced weekly for analysis and action with field teams. The FCTs were customized versions of the standard tables produced by the MICS Programme.

These steps are taken to ensure quality of outputs produced is at par with international standards.

Quality assessment

In general, the quality of the survey results is considered high given the quality management and standards implemented along with the high response rates for all age groups covered in the basic data source used for obtaining the value for this SDG indicator.

Data availability and disaggregation

LSIS has been conducted at five-year intervals since 2011-2012.

Data are available for 2012 and 2017.

Breakdown/disaggregation: by Location (Urban/Rural), Sex and Wealth Quintile

References and Documentation

The Lao Social Indicator Survey II, 2017
https://laopdr.un.org/en/13112-2017-lao-social-indicator-survey

The UNSD SDG Indicators, Metadata repository https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/

Lao PDR Statistics Law, 2017
https://www.lsb.gov.la

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.