Households with a rCSI score over 19 (%)
Indicator Name
Indicator ID in PRIME
Definition
This indicator is based on the reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) score. This indicator measures proportion of Households who have a rCSI score over 19 (IPC Phase 3 or worse). The lower the average score the more secure the household; therefore, the desired change is a decrease in the proportion of households with a score of 19 or above.
Acute Food Insecurity Reference with IPC phase wise rCSI cut-off score:
Phase 1: score 0-3
Phase 2: score 4-18
Phase 1: score ≥ 19
The rCSI is a proxy indicator of household food insecurity that is based on a list of behaviors (coping strategies) that people do to manage their food insecurity situation.
The index reflects both the frequency of each behavior (i.e., how many days over the last 7 days the coping strategy was used by any member of the household) and severity (i.e., how serious the strategy is relative to other strategies).
The rCSI is based on a list of five food-related coping strategies namely opting for economical choices; borrowing food or seeking support from friends/relatives; portion control; prioritizing children by reducing adult food consumption; reducing meal frequency. The five standard coping strategies have their severity weightings.
After calculating rCSI at individual Household level, if the score is above or equal to 19, this counts as ‘Yes’.
Numerator
The total no of HHs having score ≥19
Denominator
Total number of surveyed households
Recommended Means of Verification
Measuring this indicator requires looking at household baseline/endline surveys;
The data will be collected by conducting individual interviews with a representative sample of the Household members, asking them how many times (in the previous 7 days) they had to use the coping strategies listed below:
1) ...rely on less preferred and less expensive foods? Universal Severity Weight= 1
2) ...borrow food or rely on help from friends or relatives? Weight= 2
3) ...limit portion size at mealtime? Weight= 1
4) ...restrict consumption by adults in order for small children to eat? Weight= 3
5) ...reduce the number of meals eaten in a day? Weight= 1
Record the frequency by entering the relevant number (e.g. 0 – did not have to use the coping strategy; 2 – had to use it twice; 7 – had to use it every day in the past 7 days).
To calculate the rCSI raw scores:
1) Multiply the frequency with which a behavior was used in the last 7 days by any member of the household by the severity weight
2) Sum up the weighted scores for each coping strategy. The maximum raw score for the rCSI is 56.
To calculate the indicator's value, based on the individual Household’s rCSI score, if the score is equal to or above 19, then this counts as ‘Yes’ which will be the numerator. Total no of Households who have score equal or above 19 is counted. The total no of HHs having score ≥19 will be divided by the total number of surveyed households.
Use the MPCA MEAL Toolkit to automatically calculate the score and proportion of HHs with a score of >19 in KoBo Toolbox. This will give the HH level score, but will not give binary of HHs who have score equal to or above 19. It also gives you the IPC categorization mentioned above.
Indicator Prioritisation
Level of Indicator
Indicator Context Type
Theme
Sub Theme
Common Approach
Total Reach Indicator
Frequency of Data Collection
Unit of Measure
Data Format
Direction of Desired Change
Indicator is Rounding
Nature
Recommended Disaggregations
Other
MPCA PDM Survey: Reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI) section:
https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/MPCA-PDM-Survey-Template.xlsx/
Form Questions
Section: Reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI) - line 179