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Developing context specific indicators for monitoring F&E

In this article we look at how appropriate and relevant F&E indicators are agreed and monitored.

The process of developing context-specific indicators relies on the intervention inventory that partners develop during the planning workshop with stakeholders.

Indicators should be relevant for the local activities/interventions. Each intervention undergoes a detailed discussion within the planning committee and follows the scheme shown below:

  • Recommended or proposed intervention
  • Is intervention proven to be effective or does it require testing?
  • Sphere of action – at what level should intervention be delivered?
  • When and how often is intervention delivered?
  • What resources are required to support intervention e.g., inputs or training?
  • Who is delivering the intervention?
  • What change will we see? INDICATORS
  • Who monitors for quality & achievement? FEEDBACK & REVIEW

Step by step guide to developing indicators within the local context - from intervention recommendation through to monitoring (Click to expand)

What does a monitoring report for F&E look like?

An Excel file is used to input the data and a simple word report is generated. This includes all the relevant indicators, progress status, the data source and a rating score. The rating score is based on the performance towards the expected targets for the long term national goal.

  • Green = Good
  • Yellow = Making progress
  • Red = Needs attention

F&E monitoring: Progress report template F&E monitoring progress report template. (Click to expand)
Taken from All you need for F&E. ICTC. CC BY-NC-SA

Uganda F&E monitoring

In our Uganda case study, the planning team has developed a monitoring framework in 2016 for activities to be implemented over the next 4 years.

  • 6 clear outputs were agreed for their specific context for a range of F&E interventions
  • Achievement of each output is followed through the use of specifically selected indicators, as shown in the table below
  • Progress report for the achievement for each indicator, will be measured at regular intervals over 4 years.

During the follow-up a report like the one above will be generated to inform the team on their progress.

Table. Uganda F&E monitoring: Outputs and activity indicators

Output Indicators
1 Promotion of healthy hygiene behaviors 1.1 Number of handwashing facilities with soap/ash and water constructed next to latrines
1.2 Number of school with WASH club activities
2 Increase environmental cleanliness and improve sanitation practices 2.1 Number of sanitation facilities rehabilitated
2.2 Number of school latrines built
2.3 Number of household latrines built
2.4 Number of villages triggered (using an adapted CLTS hygiene focused approach with facial cleanliness and trachoma messaging)
3 Advocacy (for the allocation of WASH resources to trachoma-endemic districts) 3.1 Number of advocacy information papers prepared for external use
3.2 Number of national and regional/district level NTD taskforces and WASH sector coordination groups where there is representation of both
3.3 Number of NTD National/Regional master plan and District development plans that include WASH activities, targets, and indicators
3.4 Number of existing WASH programs incorporating face washing and trachoma messaging/components
4 Increased access and availability to improved water sources for all domestic uses 4.1 Number of water points repaired/upgraded
4.2 Number of new water points constructed
4.3 Number of water provision points put in place in schools
5 Capacity strengthened for coordinating and delivering trachoma and WASH related messages and activities 5.1 Number of hygiene promoters, community leaders, water user committees, ambassadors of change, mother groups or VHTs trained on trachoma and/or WASH related topics
5.2 Number of teachers, health workers trained related to WASH/trachoma activities
5.3 Government adoption of updated guidelines
5.4 Number of schools receiving updated School Sanitation Guidelines
5.5 Number of districts receiving updated National Sanitation Guidelines
6 Promotion of key behaviours to encourage the prevention and treatment of trachoma 6.1 Number of community meetings held (includes dramas performed, videos shown)
6.2 Number of radio/TV spots broadcast
6.3 Number of radio talk shows held
6.4 Number of print materials re/designed
Table key
CLTS = Community led total sanitation
NTD = Neglected tropical diseases
WASH = Water, sanitation and hygiene
VHT = Village health team
© London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine CC BY-NC-SA
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