Definition & calculation
Numerator: Number of MHPSS clients whose validated distress/functioning score improved by at least the pre-defined clinically meaningful threshold between baseline and follow-up assessment
Denominator: Total number of MHPSS clients with both a baseline and a follow-up assessment in the period
Compare each client's baseline and follow-up scores on a validated, context-adapted instrument and count those crossing the defined improvement threshold.
Formula: (Numerator ÷ Denominator) × 100
Means of verification
Validated, context-adapted pre/post assessment tools (distress or functioning scales) recorded in case files
Interpretation
Typical reporting frequency: Baseline, midline and endline (or annual)
Guidance & common pitfalls
Use context-validated tools and a defined minimum change threshold. Loss to follow-up biases results, so always report the proportion of clients who had paired (baseline and follow-up) assessments.
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
- Crude mortality rate (CMR) in the affected population (deaths per 10,000 persons per day)
- Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the affected population (deaths per 10,000 children under 5 per day)
- % of caregivers of children under 5 who can correctly identify at least two danger signs requiring urgent care
- % of children aged 6-59 months in the target area vaccinated against measles
