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Table 1 Data cleaning procedures for each variable in the database

From: Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) shows strong geographical variations in children with edema: results from 2277 surveys in 55 countries

Variable – Individual level Issue encountered Action taken Rationale
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