CONTENT SUMMARY
Brief Description: The semi-quantitative evaluation of access and coverage (SQUEAC) and the simplified lot quality assurance sampling evaluation of access and coverage (SLEAC) assessment methods are a set of tools that bring together access and coverage, which are the two essential determinants of quality community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programming. The technical reference manual describes the two methods and how they can be used to investigate CMAM program effectiveness, coverage, and ability to meet needs.
Uses: These tools provide a low-resource method capable of:
- Evaluating CMAM program coverage.
- Identifying barriers to service access and uptake.
- Identifying actions to improve program access and coverage.
Tool Components: The SQUEAC-SLEAC technical reference manual includes three key components:
- The SQUEAC method
- The SLEAC method
- SQUEAC and SLEAC case studies
OPERATIONS
Number of Staff Required: Not specified; these methods are flexible and will vary in the ways in which they are carried out. This will inform the number of staff required complete the assessment.
Time: Not specified; timing will depend on the area covered and the tools employed. One SLEAC case study provided in the manual explains that the entire process took 8 weeks, or 44 working days.
Cost of Assessment: Not specified; this will vary depending on the area covered and the tools employed, but both are touted as low-cost. SLEAC is a simple, small-sample, quantitative measure. The manual also explains that SQUEAC method achieves rapidity by collecting and analyzing diverse data intelligently, rather than by using the mechanistic and more focused data collection and analysis techniques employed by the CSAS method.
Training: The manual is intended as a guide. It requires a staff member with significant nutrition technical knowledge, and previous assessment and data analysis skills to complete either method. It is likely that on-the-job training would be required for staff to complete either a SQUEAC or SLEAC process.
Geographic Targeting: SLEAC is a wide-area method that can be used to classify and map coverage of CMAM service at district, national, and regional levels. SQUEAC is a local method used to identify factors influencing program success and failure at the local (district or clinic) level.
Type of Data Collection: The SQUEAC method uses routine data, secondary data, semi-structured interviews, case-histories, informal group discussions, small studies, small surveys and small-area surveys. SLEAC relies primary on a quantitative survey.
Degree of Technical Difficulty: While these methods are low-resource and do not require management of a large survey, accurate use of either method will require staff with experience in assessment and data analysis.
Complements other Resources: The two methods are designed to complement each other. SQUEAC makes use of secondary data on food security and nutritional anthropometry. Identifying barriers to program coverage may also inform the design of other programs, in addition to CMAM.