Programme indicators track performance according to pre-defined criteria and benchmarks. Monitoring allows programme managers and researchers to assess whether public health programmes implementing micronutrient interventions are meeting their process and impact indicators, and thus their objectives.  Monitoring indicators supports informed programme decision-making, and allows for timely programme adjustments to improve or maintain programme effectiveness.

The WHO/CDC electronic catalogue of indicators for micronutrient programmes, referred to as the “eCatalogue of Indicators” intends to contain a non-comprehensive register of standard process and impact indicators for tracking the performance of public health programmes implementing micronutrient interventions.  The eCatalogue of Indicators includes key indicators related to salt iodization, and indicators for wheat flour fortification, vitamin A supplementation, and point-of-use fortification of foods with multiple micronutrient powders integrated into public health programmes for women, infants and children are coming soon.  This eCatalogue of  Indicators is a dynamic digital resource and new indicators are being progressively added as they become available.

• The primary audience for the eCatalogue of Indicators is advisors or programme managers engaged in monitoring and/or evaluation of public health programmes in the area of vitamin and mineral interventions.  

• Users can select indicators through four different search functions, which can be used to identify useful indicators in order to adapt them to a local programme context.

• The eCatalogue of Indicators does not to make recommendations on the use of any particular indicator.

• The validity, reliability, feasibility or utility in the field of these indicators has not been systematically evaluated by WHO or CDC for all included indicators.  Most of the information for processes indicators comes from practice-based evidence and are drawn from reviews of existing programme manuals, published literature, country reports and the opinion of experts. 

• The eCatalogue of Indicators does not provide guidance for establishing a monitoring or evaluation system in public health, although some indicators may include useful references for that purpose.

Acknowledgments

WHO and CDC are grateful for the hard work and collaboration of the many individuals who help develop, maintain, and update the contents in this eCatalogue.  The WHO/CDC electronic catalogue of indicators for micronutrient programmes was developed as part of cooperative agreements between CDC and WHO (cooperative agreements 5 E11 DP002196-2 and 1U2GGH001235-01).