What is an indicator?

A programme indicator in public health is basically a number, proportion, percentage or rate that helps measure ( “indicate”) the extent to which planned activities have been conducted (process and output indicators) and programme achievements have been made (outcome and impact indicators).

There is a logical ”flow” of indicators from inputs through impact. Plans should always include clear and measurable indicators that go beyond monitoring only the “process” to include also the “outcome”, that is what the intervention should lead to—as this is the main reason why certain activities have originally been planned. For example, a plan includes training courses for health providers on the management of a sick child. This is done: -> to improve health providers’ case management skills of sick children -> to improve how children are managed (outcome) -> to improve child health, e.g. reducing child deaths (impact).