Non-Recovery Rate

Outcome

% of children discharged from [specify: severe / moderate] acute malnutrition treatment as non-recovered

Non-recovery rate is a core performance indicator for acute malnutrition treatment programmes. It measures the proportion of children discharged from a defined treatment programme who are classified as non-recovered according to the applicable reporting protocol.

Determine the indicator's value by using the following methodology:

 

1) First define the treatment group and programme component being reported, such as children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) treated in an outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) or stabilisation centre (SC), or children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) treated in a targeted supplementary feeding programme (SFP). Calculate results separately for different treatment groups and programme components unless the applicable reporting framework specifies how outcomes should be combined.

Count the children classified as non-recovered according to the applicable national or programme reporting protocol. Under the 2015 CMAM reporting framework, non-recovery comprises medical referral and non-response in outpatient therapeutic programmes (OTP) and stabilisation centres (SC); in targeted supplementary feeding programmes (SFP), it also includes transfer to therapeutic treatment. A referral should only be included in non-recovery if it is classified as a discharge under the applicable reporting framework.

  

2) Divide this number by the total number of children discharged from the same treatment population during the same reporting period. Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

  

3) The resulting value is the non-recovery rate, expressed as a percentage.

This data can be disaggregated by sex, age group, geographic area, and, if relevant and feasible, also by treatment site and disability status.

1) The indicator does not require a separate survey – all data can be gained from the treatment program’s regular records.

    

2) Non-recovery is a composite indicator and therefore provides limited information on why children did not recover. Where the non-recovery rate is high or changes substantially, analyse the categories that make up non-recovery separately, as they can reflect different problems and require different responses.

3) Sphere 2018 does not specify a separate numerical performance target for non-recovery. Interpret it alongside recovery, death and default rates and investigate the reasons for non-response or other adverse patterns.

Also consider using the following indicators:

• Recovery (Cure) Rate (measures successful discharge and should be interpreted alongside non-recovery)

• Death Rate (captures mortality as a complementary treatment outcome)

• Default Rate (captures treatment discontinuation as another complementary outcome)

• Coverage of Acute Malnutrition Treatment Services (shows whether children needing treatment are being reached, which discharge outcomes do not measure)