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