Definition & calculation
Numerator: Number of children with SAM classified as defaulters (absent for a defined number of consecutive scheduled visits, typically 2-3) during the reporting period
Denominator: Total number of children with SAM who exited the programme during the reporting period (cured + died + defaulted + non-recovered)
Divide the number of defaulters by the total number of exits in the same reporting period, expressed as a percentage.
Formula: (Numerator ÷ Denominator) × 100
Means of verification
OTP/SC registers, defaulter tracing records and CMAM/IMAM database
Interpretation
Direction: Higher is better
Typical reporting frequency: Baseline, midline and endline (or annual)
Guidance & common pitfalls
A defaulter rate above the Sphere alarm threshold (>15%) signals access, quality or acceptance problems. Apply a consistent absence definition and reconcile with defaulter tracing so that unreported deaths are not misclassified as defaults.
This library is a curated reference to adapt, aligned generically with recognised humanitarian frameworks (Sphere, cluster registries, IASC, CHS and others). It is not an official indicator registry — always use the exact indicator definitions your donor or cluster requires.
Related indicators
- Prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) among children aged 6-59 months
- % of caregivers of children in the treatment programme who report satisfaction with the nutrition services received
- % of caregivers of children under 2 who can correctly state at least two recommended IYCF practices
- % of children aged 6-23 months who received a minimum acceptable diet (MAD) in the previous 24 hours