The Operation TimbangPlus (OPT Plus) is conducted every first quarter of the year to identify and locate malnourished preschoolers aged 0 to 71 months old (<5 years old children)country wide. Children’s height and weight are measured to generate data needed for nutritional assessment, planning, management and evaluation of local nutrition programs.
Weighing scales and length/height boards were originally used for measurement. However, due to rising number of COVID-19 cases, the use of mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) tapes as an alternative to weight and length/height measuring tools to reduce physical contact to infant or child was suggested per NNC Memorandum 2020-010: “Interim Guidelines in the Conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth Monitoring and Promotion Activities in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Related Disasters”.
Upon conduct of the OPT Plus, minimum safety protocols must be observed at all times of all members of the OPT Team. Weight and length/height measuring tools, MUAC tapes and other frequently touched surfaces and objects should be disinfected with household bleach solution or at least 70% alcohol during and after use. Mothers/caregivers and OPT team must practice social distancing until measurements are taken and properly wear protective measures such as face masks and face shields and gloves for the OPT team. Measurer should position behind the infant or child to reduce risk of droplet exposure. Lastly, if possible, OPT Team to educate mothers/caregivers with the proper use of MUAC tapes, its indicators, possible outcomes and treatments.An instructional video on use of MUAC tape can be seen here: http://bit.ly/muacvideo
There are two (2) kinds of e-OPT tools to be that can be used depending on the measuring tools used by the OPT Team:
- Regular e-OPT Tool: To be used if OPT Team measured using traditional weight and length/height measuring tools. Completion must be in the first quarter of the year (January to March). Tool can be downloaded from NNC website: https://www.nnc.gov.ph/?view=article&id=3461
- e-OPT Tool for Acute Malnutrition: To be used if OPT Team measured using MUAC tape (for instances that use of weight and length/height measuring tools are prohibited).Tool can be downloaded from NNC website:https://www.nnc.gov.ph/optacute
*Similarities: Both tools have the same structure and method of encoding, consolidation, and auto-generation of reports.
*Differences: e-OPT Tool for Acute Malnutrition has a ) filterable list of SAM and MAM based on MUAC and weight-for-length/height and b) recording presence of bilateral pitting edema.
Methods on the conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth Monitoring and Promotion Activities varies on quarantine classification. See table below:
|
Quarantine Classification |
Activity |
Method |
Tool |
Recording |
|
Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) |
Conduct nutrition assessment in health facility |
MUAC and identification of bilateral pitting edema
|
MUAC Tape |
e-OPT tool for Acute Malnutrition |
|
Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) |
Conduct house-to-house nutrition assessment |
Weight and height measurement *Weight-for-Height *Height-for-Age *Weight-for-Age |
Hanging-type weighing scale, Height or length board, Identification of bilateral pitting edema |
Regular e-OPT Tool |
|
General Community Quarantine (GCQ) |
Conduct house-to-house nutrition assessment |
Weight and height measurement *Weight-for-Height *Height-for-Age *Weight-for-Age |
Hanging-type weighing scale, Height or length board, Identification of bilateral pitting edema |
Regular e-OPT Tool |
|
Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) |
Conduct house-to-house nutrition assessmentwith 50% venue capacity or in an open area |
Weight and height measurement *Weight-for-Height *Height-for-Age *Weight-for-Age |
Hanging-type weighing scale, Height or length board, Identification of bilateral pitting edema |
Regular e-OPT Tool |
|
New Normal |
Conduct house-to-house nutrition assessmentor community-based nutrition assessment in an open area |
Weight and height measurement *Weight-for-Height *Height-for-Age *Weight-for-Age |
Hanging-type weighing scale, Height or length board, Identification of bilateral pitting edema |
Regular e-OPT Tool |
*Each barangay or municipality must follow only one assessment method (Weight and height or MUAC)
*Use of PPEs and observance tominimum health standards should strictly be implemented.
The DOH-DM No. 2020-0237 provided actions per scenario:
|
Scenario |
SAM Children |
MAM Children |
Normal Children |
Follow-Ups |
|
Zero Cases or importation |
Weight-for-length for 0 to 6 months old; Weight-for-height or MUAC for 6 to 59 months old
*Monitor every two weeks |
Weight-for-length for 0 to 6 months old; Weight-for-height or MUAC for 6 to 59 months old
*Monitor monthly |
Weight-for-length for 0 to 6 months old; Weight-for-height or MUAC for 6 to 59 months old; Bilateral pitting edema
*Monitor monthly 0-23 months *Monitor quarterly 24-59 months |
Via virtual platforms, home visits, and primary health care facilities |
|
Localized Transmission
(Health and nutrition staff are engaged in COVID-19 response) |
Weight-for-length for 0 to6 months old ; MUAC for 6 to 59 months old; Bilateral pitting edema
*Monitor every two weeks |
Weight-for-length for 0 to 6 months old; MUAC for 6 to 59 months old
*Monitor monthly |
Weight-for-length for 0 to 6 months old; MUAC and Bilateral pitting edemafor 6 to 59 months old;
*Monitor monthly 0-23 months *Monitor quarterly 24-59 months |
Via virtual platforms, home visits, and primary health care facilities |
|
Community Transmission
(All health and nutrition staff and other health office personnel are engaged in COVID-19 response) |
Weight-for-length for 0 to6 months old ; MUAC for 6 to 59 months old; Bilateral pitting edema
*Monitor every two weeks |
Weight-for-length for 0 to 6 months old; MUAC for 6 to 59 months old
*Monitor monthly |
Weight-for-length for 0 to 6 months old; MUAC and Bilateral pitting edemafor 6 to 59 months old;
*Monitor monthly 0-23 months *Monitor quarterly 24-59 months |
Via virtual platforms and home visits |
Malnutrition contributes to compromised immune system increasing risk of having COVID-19. With this, delivery of nutrition services especially to the most vulnerable groups: infants and young children, pregnant women, lactating women and elderly must be continuous and at our topmost priority to prevent deterioration of malnutrition.(NKSLoyola)
Source:
NNC Memorandum 2020-010: “Interim Guidelines in the Conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth Monitoring and Promotion Activities in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Related Disasters”(To download PDF file, click here: http://bit.ly/NNCMemo2020-010)
