Determinants of default from outpatient management of severe acute malnutrition among caregivers of children aged 6–59 months at Fortportal regional referral hospital, Southwestern Uganda: a mixed methods study

Being Protestant, Orthodox/Seventh-day Adventist, high transport costs, lack of perceived susceptibility to other illnesses, lack of health education, and lack of self-efficacy were essential determinants of default from outpatient management of SAM. To reduce the default rate, stakeholders must strengthen peripheral sites and community health workers to bring SAM management services closer to the community. Additionally, a closer examination of the role of religious beliefs in default from the outpatient management of SAM is needed.