Definition & calculation
Numerator: Number of screened children identified as acutely malnourished (MUAC < 125 mm and/or bilateral pitting oedema) with a documented referral to a treatment programme
Denominator: Total number of screened children identified as acutely malnourished (MUAC < 125 mm and/or bilateral pitting oedema) during the reporting period
Divide the number of identified cases with a documented referral by the total number of identified cases, expressed as a percentage.
Formula: (Numerator ÷ Denominator) × 100
Means of verification
Screening and referral registers cross-checked with OTP/SC admission records
Interpretation
Direction: Higher is better
Typical reporting frequency: Monthly or quarterly
Guidance & common pitfalls
Referral issuance measures process; where feasible, strengthen the indicator by confirming the referral loop (matching referral slips to admission records) to detect access barriers and referral drop-off.
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