Table 1 Data cleaning procedures for each variable in the database

Cluster identifier

Cluster identifier not specified

Retain record

Submitted surveys used systematic or simple random sampling

Age (months)

Children < 6 months or > 59 months; Age not specified

Record not used

6–59 months is the standard population in which prevalence of anthropometric deficits are reported in DHS, MICS, and SMART surveys

Sex (M/F)

Sex not specified

Record not used

Sex is required for determination of SAM status by WHZ

Sex (Other/M/F)

Sex unknown

Record not used

Sex is required for determination of SAM status by WHZ

Weight (kg)

Weight not specified

Record not used

Weight is required for determination of SAM status by WHZ

Weight (kg)

Weight obviously erroneous

Delete erroneous weight recorded

Data entry error

Height (cm)

Height not specified

Record not used

Height is required for determination of SAM status by WHZ

Height (cm)

Height obviously erroneous

Delete erroneous height recorded

Data entry error

MUAC (mm)

MUAC not specified

Record not used

MUAC is required for determination of SAM status

MUAC (mm)

MUAC obviously erroneous (< 60 or > 200)

Delete erroneous MUAC recorded

Data entry error

Edema (Y/N)

Edema and edema grade not specified

Record not used

Edema is required for determination of SAM status

Edema (Grade > 0/0)

If grade of edema recorded as > 0 instead of Y (Edema present) and grade of edema recorded as 0 instead of N (Edema absent)

Change grades > 0 to Y (Edema present) and grade 0 to N (Edema absent)

Study only takes into consideration presence of edema, regardless of grade

Edema (Other/Y/N)

If other unknown option recorded

Delete erroneous edema recorded

Data entry error