This study was aimed at identifying factors that are associated with the implementation of the nutrition surveillance programme in Zambia. The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge attitude and practice of district level health personnel about nutrition surveillance.

The study is a cross section descriptive study in which quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used to collect data using questionnaire and focus group discussion. A total of 22 districts were selected proportionate to population size in each of the 9 provinces but only 21 districts participated in the study achieving a 95% district response rate. In each district, 5 health personnel working in the district on nutrition programmes and on information systems were recruited to participate in the study and only 102 participants were able to participate in the study. A self administered questionnaire to determine their knowledge, attitudes and practices about nutrition surveillance was distributed to health personnel. Eight participants who had positive responses about nutrition surveillance participated in the discussion to explore further their attitudes and practices about surveillance.

The study revealed that health personnel knew the components and purpose of nutrition surveillance. However, the focus group discussions revealed that the majority of personnel were frustrated by the fact that they could not interpret the data and therefore could not use it effectively to plan and implement interventions.

The information obtained in the study will be used to improve training and practices of health personnel about nutrition surveillance.