INTRODUCTION TO BASIC DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FOR

INTRODUCTION TO BASIC DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FOR HEALTH PROGRAMS

Training Objectives § To improve understanding of statistical and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) concepts in data analysis § To build skills in basic data analysis, including setting targets and calculating program coverage, and service utilization and retention § To enhance skills in data interpretation

Training Overview § Training introduction § Module 1: Data analysis key concepts § Module 2: Basic analyses § Module 3: Data presentation & interpretation § Review of key themes

Introductions

Training Introduction

Training Introduction: Learning Objectives § Understand the importance of improving data-informed decision making § Understand the role of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data in decision making § Understand the importance of data analysis and interpretation

“… without information, things are done arbitrarily and one becomes unsure of whether a policy or program will fail or succeed. If we allow our policies to be guided by empirical facts and data, there will be a noticeable change in the impact of what we do. ” National-level Policymaker, Nigeria

Why Improve Data-informed Decision Making? § HIV epidemic § Resurgence of TB § Continued prevalence of malaria § Pockets of stalled fertility decline § Population burden § Shortage of health care workers

Context Pressing need to develop health policies, strategies, and interventions

Monitoring and Evaluation § Track changes in program performance over time Monitoring § Attribute program outcomes to their causes Evaluation

Data § Data sources § Service delivery statistics § Census § Surveys, evaluations, research studies § Sentinel surveillance § Budget information § Data vs. information = unsynthesized vs. synthesized

Purposes of Monitoring and Evaluation § Determine whether a plan or program is on schedule with planned activities § Assess whether a policy, plan, or program has produced desired impacts § Generate knowledge: • Identify programmatic gaps, factors that influence health outcomes, etc. § Inform policy, planning, or program decisions

M&E Is Not an Enemy § Policymakers, program managers, and M&E/strategic information specialists can be partners § Strong decision making and management rely on high-quality M&E / strategic information § Data quality is linked to data use

Monitoring and Evaluation allows…. data-based decisions, which lead to… better health programs and better health outcomes

Group Participation Who analyzes and interprets data in your organization?

We can use information to… § Inform policies and plans § Raise additional resources § Strengthen programs and improve results § Ensure accountability and reporting § Improve quality of services provided § Contribute to global lessons learned

“Making Data Speak” in Thailand § Need: Strengthen commitment of policymakers to HIV prevention § Data: Behavioral and epidemiological data § Response: § Analyzed data with Asian Epidemic Model and GOALS model § Determined responses and resources needed § Communicated data to stakeholders § Decision/Action: § Successfully emphasized prevention agenda in national strategic plan and developed an operational plan to guide prevention programming

Using NNRIMS Data to Inform Resource Allocation § Need: Strengthen monitoring of HIV/AIDS service delivery § Data: HIV service delivery indicators § Response: § Development of NNRIMS, a routine information system § Quarterly reports summarizing data prepared for and reviewed by LGA managers & decision makers § Decision/Action: § Chairman procured 480 HIV test kits, enabling more people to get tested in Doma

Key Messages § Decisions based on evidence lead to better health outcomes § We all have a role in M&E – partners in progress § High-quality information is needed for decision making at policy, planning, and program levels § Purpose of M&E is not just to produce more information but to inform action