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STRATEGIC INFORMATION ACTIVITIES
Overview:
The Strategic Information (SI) system supports the overarching HCP Namibia program, by informing the development of materials and training curricula, as well informing the development of community Action Plans. The SI system supports the Community Action Process in three ways – through individual/community level research, through targeted evaluations, and through dissemination activities. Data for the Strategic Information system is gathered by a locally owned and operated organization, Research Facilitation Services (RFS), with technical support from HCP.
Objectives :
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A woman presents findings from peer group work in Oshikuku |
- To assess the impact of HCP program activities through baseline and network analyses, and process and summative evaluations;
- To support and share SI findings with the Namibian Emergency Plan partners.
- To share research findings with other groups that can use the results to assist with their own programming;
- To support other HIV/AIDS related behavior change communication evaluations that contribute to the Emergency Plan agenda.
Audience : Host country national counterparts, implementing organization project staff, international counterpart organizations, M&E specialist staff, CAFs, MOHSS.
Program Monitoring System
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A local pastor speaks out at community meeting in Oshikuku |
A program monitoring system has been implemented that supplies baseline formative information for the initial Community Action Process during Year 1, and then provides mid-course assessments (for program refinement and adjustment) during Year 3, ultimately followed by program impact assessments (showing what worked and what failed) during Year 5. Both individual-level (household surveys) and community-level (network surveys) research is conducted in a 10 kilometer catchment area around each hospital. This program monitoring system is critical to HCP and its partners in understanding what is working, what is not working, and what is causing unexpected effects. The monitoring system is also important for communities when developing and revising their Action Plans, to help them better understand what is happening in their community. The strategic information program monitoring system includes:
- Assessments at beginning (baseline -- year 1), mid-term (year 3), end (year 5) at individual and community level (note: mid-term and end assessments occur on a two-year lag).
- Assessments at the individual and community levels at HIV/AIDS mission and state focal hospitals (conducted at 11 sites thus far with 5 new sites identified for assessment for Track 3).
- Qualitative research to follow-up on unusual/perplexing findings discovered in the quantitative research during the "off years" (years 2 and 4).
During Track 3, HCP and RFS will build on the formative baseline research already conducted during Tracks 1.5 and 2 by implementing the program monitoring system in Gobabis, Grootfontein, Luderitz, Omaruru, and Otjiwarongo.
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A woman presents findings from peer group work in Rehoboth |
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In-depth Qualitative Studies
These studies are to follow up on perplexing quantitative formative research findings (e.g., attitudes toward marriage in Namibia , health care workers attitudes, etc.) with in-depth qualitative interviews or focus groups with a wide variety of population groups in the communities where formative research has been conducted.
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Household and Network Analysis Surveys
Conduct the formative baseline research (individual and network surveys) in 5 new geographical areas, not yet covered by the baselines (Gobabis, Grootfontein, Luderitz, Omaruru, and Otjiwarongo).
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Mid-course assessments
Conduct mid-course assessments for Oshikuku, Onandjokwe, and Rehoboth (baselines were conducted September/October 2003; these will take place September/October 2005).
Information Dissemination
To disseminate the findings of the strategic information program evaluation research, RFS/HCP release regular reports and fact sheets to partners via workshops and in other venues. To cut down on costs, RFS/HCP provides reports and fact sheets on CDs as well. The dissemination workshops not only present current program evaluation findings, but present current program development theorizing, so that partners can ground their programs in theory and empirical data. Much public health research has shown that theoretically based programs grounded in formative data work better, are more cost-efficient (because less trial and error), and are more likely to prevent deleterious unintended effects.
Targeted Evaluations
The SI system conducts targeted evaluations that focus on specific, large-scale projects. The targeted evaluations allow us to examine in-depth, the specific features of a program and their effects on attitudes, norms, and behaviors. The results of such evaluations will be shared with CAFs to assist them in developing their Action Plans, and also with partners who are working to address issues related to HIV.
In FY04, a targeted evaluation began for PSI/SMA's “Trusted Partner” campaign, and, a targeted evaluation for the radio program, Suzie and Shafa, was conducted. For FY 05, two targeted evaluations activities are planned, including a Parliamentary Study, which will involve a survey of all members of Parliament (n=100) and legislative staffers, as well as content analysis of newspapers in order to track public opinion, political/social agendas, and accuracy/depth of HIV/AIDS coverage in Namibia. This targeted evaluation offers insight into the political/social level of analysis – an important but often neglected aspect of true social change (e.g., Uganda ).
Network Fact Sheets
Household Fact Sheets
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