Changes in the quality of assessment and diagnosis of SAM in eleven participating hospitals for the 12 months preintervention and 12 months postintervention
| Category | Preintervention [A] | Postintervention [B] | Difference [B – A] in % (95% CI) | P value |
| SAM assessment | ||||
| Number of cases analysed (0–60 months)* | 3953 | 3723 | ||
| <6 months | 292 | 438 | ||
| 6–60 months | 3637 | 3280 | ||
| Number (%) of cases with the requisite measurement data for WHO classification†‡ | 629 (15.9) | 1300 (34.9) | 19.0 (17.1 to 20.9) | <0.001 |
| Number (%) of cases reported as SAM§ | 491 (12.4) | 807 (21.7) | 9.3 (7.6 to 10.9) | <0.001 |
| <6 months | 65 (22.3) | 83 (18.9) | −3.3 (−9.4 to 2.6) | 0.276 |
| 6–60 months | 420 (11.5) | 719 (21.9) | 10.4 (8.6 to 12.1) | <0.001 |
| Number (%) of cases classified based on WHO SAM criteria (6–60 months) | 444 | 786 | ||
| Matched SAM | 209 (47.1) | 460 (58.5) | 11.5 (5.6 to 17.2) | <0.001 |
| Unclassifiable SAM | 151 (34.0) | 135 (17.2) | −16.9 (−22.0 to 11.7) | <0.001 |
| False SAM | 60 (13.5) | 124 (15.8) | 2.3 (−2.0 to 6.2) | 0.285 |
| Missed SAM | 24 (5.4) | 67 (8.5) | 3.1 (0.1 to 5.9) | 0.045 |
| SAM-related morbidity | ||||
| Number (%) of cases diagnosed as acute respiratory infection in whom SAM was identified | 44/620 (7.1) | 81/742 (10.9) | 3.8 (0.7 to 6.8) | 0.015 |
| Number (%) of cases diagnosed as gastroenteritis in whom SAM was identified | 34/587 (5.8) | 95/716 (13.3) | 7.5 (4.3 to 10.6) | <0.001 |
*Includes 24 and 5 cases with no date of birth recorded in preintervention and postintervention respectively.
†The requisite measurement data are: age, gender, MUAC or weight and height, and/or oedema presence.
‡Includes 4 and 3 cases with no date of birth recorded in preintervention and postintervention respectively.
§Includes 6 and 5 reported SAM cases with no date of birth recorded in preintervention and postintervention period respectively.
MUAC, mid-upper arm circumference; SAM, severe acute malnutrition.