School of Health Systems and Public HealthMonitoring & Evaluation of HIV and AIDS Programs

INDICATORS

Wednesday March 2, 2011

Win BrownUSAID/South Africa

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Objective:

• Introduce the 4 stages in the data handling (information management) process & explain indicators.

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Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the concepts of data and information

• Analyze the data handling process

• Evidence-based decision making

• Select indicators & critique indicators

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What’s Our Raw Material?

• Data:

• Information:

• Knowledge:

Data Information Knowledge

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Types of Data

• Quantitative:

• Qualitative:

• Routine:

• Non-Routine:

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Routine Data Collection

• Patient or Client Data: Let’s talk about the lowest level . . .

• “Data Capture” – Who– How– When– Where

• How are these data aggregated?

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Routine Health Information Management?

• Monitoring & Evaluation of Routine vs. Non-Routine Information . . .

• Which is more useful?

• Why?

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Information Management Process

4

Collect

Process

Present

Use•Data quality checks •Data analysis:

indicators

• Tables• Graphs• Reports

• Interpret information: comparisonstrends

• Decisions based on information

• Actions

• Data set based on minimum indicator set

• Standard definitions• Data sources & tools

feedback

data flow

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Current Problems and the Way Forward

• The Deadly Sin of Creating Parallel Structures in Reporting Systems

• The “H” Word . . .

• Alignment with Government Systems

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Ready for Indicators?

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What’s an Indicator?

A quantitative or qualitative variable

(something that changes) that provides a

simple and reliable measurement of one

aspect of performance, achievement or

change in a program or project.

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Why Indicators?

• Directing resources to areas where needs are greatest

• Reducing large amount of data down to its simplest form

• Measuring program or project towards targets and desired outcomes

• Measuring trends over time

• Providing a yardstick whereby organizations, facilities etc. can compare themselves to others doing similar work

• Providing evidence for achievement (or lack of) of results and activities

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Slide # 13: The Evil Eye

Don’t say anything!

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Indicator StructureIndicator Structure

• Numerator

• Denominator

• Both . . .

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Example 1

Percent of Individuals Initiating ART with a CD4 Count of Less than 50.

?

________________

?

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Example 2

Total Number of OVC Reached During the Reporting Period.

? ________________ ?

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Example 3

Total Number of Individuals Provided with Cotrimoxazole during the Reporting Period.

? ________________ ?

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Example 4

Total Number of Family Members Reached with HIV-Related Palliative Care during the Reporting Period.

? ________________ ?

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Example 5

Total Number of Individuals Counseled and Tested as a Couple.

? ________________ ?

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Don’t Let Indicators . . .

Drive the Programme!

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SMART Indicators

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Time-bound

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OPUDATAOPUDATA

• Objective

• Practical

• Useful for management

• Direct

• Attributable to your project’s efforts

• Timely

• Adequate

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How Does An Indicator Get Selected?

Good Luck!

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Why Aren’t Managers Using Data?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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To Be Useful, Data Should Be…To Be Useful, Data Should Be…

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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