Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2024
Bangladesh, 2024
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BGD_2024_SENS_v01_M_v01_A_ESS
Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2024
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | BGD |
Other Household Survey [hh/oth]
The Standardised Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) is a series of survey methodologies developed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and specifically designed to consider the factors that are most relevant to refugees. SENS measures not only nutritional status data but also measures relevant other data related to household composition, anaemia, measles vaccination, vitamin A supplementation, diarrhoea and other health-related indicators, infant and young child feeding practices, food availability, drinking water, hygiene, latrine usage and mosquito nets at the household-level. By collecting all this data, SENS studies provide a detailed snapshot of the nutritional health of a refugee population at a given point in time.
The Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) 2024 was conducted among Rohingya refugees residing on Bhasan Char Island, Bangladesh. The survey aimed to assess the health and nutrition status of the population and inform targeted interventions. At the time of data collection (between 18 and 24 September 2024), approximately 35 454 individuals had been relocated to the island from the Cox's Bazar refugee camps.
Led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and implemented in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), BRAC, Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), Research, Training and Management International (RTMI) , and Friendship, the survey used SENS Version 3 tools based on the Standardised Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) methodology.
Findings indicated a medium prevalence of acute malnutrition (GAM: 8.8 percent) and critical levels of stunting (34.7 percent) among children under five. Anemia remained a major concern, affecting 40.3 percent of children and 24.1 percent of women of reproductive age. Improvements were observed in key infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and treatment coverage, though challenges persisted in water access and mosquito net coverage. The results support evidence-based planning and monitoring of health and nutrition programs for refugees on Bhasan Char.
Sample survey data [ssd]
Households
Scope
The scope includes:
- Demographic profile
- Mortality
- Anthropometric and child health indicators
- Anaemia among children and women
- Infant and young child feeding practices
- Food consumption and coping strategies
- In-kind food assistance
- Ownership and use of mosquito nets
- Access to WASH services and hygiene products
Coverage
The study covered Bhasan Char Island, located in Hatiya Upazila, Noakhali District, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh.
The population group covered in the study was all Rohingya refugee households residing on Bhasan Char Island at the time of the survey in September 2024.
Producers and sponsors
| Name |
|---|
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| Name |
|---|
| Concern Worldwide |
| National Nutrition Services (NNS) |
| United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) |
| World Food Programme (WFP) |
| BRAC |
| Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) |
| Training and Management International (RTMI) |
| Friendship |
| CartONG |
Sampling
The survey used simple random sampling to select households from the UNHCR ProGres registration database. The defined address system on Bhasan Char facilitated accurate household identification.
No sampling weights were applied. All selected households were considered self-weighted due to the simple random sampling design.
Survey instrument
The standard version 3 of the SENS questionnaires was used, which includes demographic, health, nutrition, food security, infant and young child feeding, mosquito net, and WASH modules.
Data collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2024-09-18 | 2024-09-24 |
- Face-to-face [f2f]
| Name |
|---|
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| Concern Worldwide |
| National Nutrition Services (NNS) |
| World Food Programme (WFP) |
| United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) |
| BRAC |
| Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) |
| Training and Management International (RTMI) |
| Friendship |
Data was collected via face-to-face interviews using electronic tablets running the ODK application. The standard SENS version 3 questionnaire was used, adapted with technical support from CartONG. Community health and nutrition workers supported the identification of sampled households. Enumerators received daily feedback and supervision, and anthropometric data was validated using the Emergency Nutrition Assessment (ENA) software for SMART.
Data Access
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2025). Bangladesh: Standardised Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS). Accessed from: https://microdata.unhcr.org
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curation team | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) | [email protected] | https://www.unhcr.org/contact-us |
Metadata production
DDI_BGD_2024_SENS_v01_M_v01_A_ESS_FAO
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees | UNHCR | United Nations | Metadata producer |
| Statistics Division | DECDG | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Metadata adapted for FAM |