Measure
Monitoring and Evaluation to ASsess and Use REsults

Collecting and Using Data for Informed Decisions in Population, Health and Nutrition
 
The USAID-funded MEASURE program, which began its second phase in 2003, is designed to provide and promote the use of accurate and timely information on population, health, and nutrition in developing countries. The projects offer technical services in data collection, analysis, dissemination, and use.
 
MEASURE Program
Together, the four MEASURE partners (MEASURE DHS, MEASURE Evaluation, MEASURE U.S. Census Bureau-SCILS, and MEASURE CDC/DRH) provide a full range of related services, which include promoting the demand for quality data; providing technical assistance, training, systems development, data collection and analysis, and capacity-building services; and disseminating information and facilitating its use in decision-making. In consultation with USAID Mission staff, local counterparts, cooperating agencies working in-country, USAID Global Health staff, and other donors, MEASURE partners prepare a comprehensive strategy for monitoring and evaluation as well as data collection, dissemination, and use for each country in which there is substantial MEASURE support.

Focus areas for this phase of MEASURE are to

  • Identify and work with potential data users to build demand and define essential data
  • Determine the most appropriate data collection approaches (routine and nonroutine)
  • Develop innovative and cost-effective data collection approaches
  • Translate data into information for program planning and policymaking
  • Disseminate information and improve its use in influencing policy and program planning
  • Facilitate the use of data by ensuring inclusion of data users in the planning stages of data collection, analysis, and dissemination
  • Build the capacity of data users and producers in all of the above areas
  • Design and implement all products and activities within a gender perspective.

 
MEASURE DHS
Since 1984, the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program has collected, analyzed, and disseminated accurate and representative data on population, health, and nutrition through more than 190 surveys in over 70 countries. In Phase II, MEASURE DHS will address host countries’ emerging needs for data to guide policies and programs by adding new research areas, such as biological testing for a range of health conditions (biomarkers), women’s status, domestic violence, anonymous HIV testing, and malaria. The program also uses additional data collection tools, including the Service Provision Assessment surveys and AIDS Indicator Surveys, as well as qualitative research. MEASURE DHS places emphasis on dissemination and facilitating use of survey data.

Other activities for Phase II of MEASURE DHS include:

  • Developing country strategies for data collection and for data dissemination and use
    Collaborating with host-country institutions and cooperating agencies to integrate DHS results into ongoing programs
  • Facilitating online access of data and publications
  • Conducting linked HIV surveys to allow researchers to analyze HIV status in relation to knowledge and behavioral indicators
  • Collecting vital gender-sensitive data to enhance understanding of how gender affects family health
    Measuring poverty with standard household asset information to explore the relationship between economic status and health.

To assist DHS in focusing on increased access to, understanding of, and use of survey data, Macro International Inc., an Opinion Research Corporation company (ORC Macro), is partnering with four experienced organizations-Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), Casals and Associates, and Jorge Scientific Corporation.


 
MEASURE Evaluation
In Phase II, MEASURE Evaluation is strengthening monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions/systems and is building institutional capabilities that are essential to better judge the effectiveness of adopted interventions and approaches in the areas of family planning, maternal and child health and nutrition, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. MEASURE Evaluation is also increasing efforts to facilitate demand for and use of data for policy formulation and program decision-making.

Examples of technical assistance provided by the program include:

  • Strengthening national M&E systems and routine health information systems
  • Conducting strategic information planning for host-country institutions and USAID Mission programs
  • Developing evaluation surveys for USAID population, health, and nutrition (PHN) programs
  • Conducting secondary evaluation analysis of existing data
  • Developing training courses and master’s degree programs in M&E
  • Developing and testing M&E methodologies to support local programs (e.g., Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts [PLACE] and Sample Vital Registration with Verbal Autopsy [SAVVY])
  • Developing tools to facilitate the use of data for policy development, planning, and program management.

This new phase of MEASURE Evaluation is implemented by the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in partnership with Futures Group, ORC Macro, John Snow, Inc. (JSI), and Tulane University.


 
MEASURE U.S. Census Bureau-SCILS
In the context of MEASURE, U.S. Census Bureau-Survey and Census Information, Leadership, and Self-Sufficiency (Census Bureau-SCILS) seeks to strengthen the capability of statistical offices in developing countries to collect, analyze, disseminate, and use data to increase understanding of population structure and demographic trends, as well as their implications for development planning and policymaking.

Examples of the Census Bureau-International Programs Center’s (IPC) contribution to MEASURE include:

  • Providing country-specific technical assistance to build the capacity of national statistical organizations to implement censuses and other surveys-including technical consultations and training in census design, management procedures, data collection and processing, demographic data analysis, dissemination, and use of census data
  • Conducting in-country, regional, and U.S.-based workshops and study tours-including training activities to strengthen capacity to design and manage census and survey implementation and to analyze, disseminate, and use demographic data
  • Developing centrally coordinated activities that support worldwide efforts to improve data collection, development of census and survey software tools, analysis, and use of census and survey data including maintenance and dissemination of the International Data Base, a Web-based data bank containing demographic and socioeconomic data for 227 countries and areas of the world.

IPC’s mission is to assist developing countries in the production of accurate, timely, and relevant data products. Since 1947, our organization has assisted statistical agencies in 120 countries by sharing expertise in survey planning, data collection, quality control, data processing, analysis and dissemination of results. Our collaborative approach helps nations determine the best way to strengthen their own statistical capacity.


 
MEASURE CDC/DRH
The Division of Reproductive Health (DRH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contributes to the scientific foundation upon which USAID Washington and Missions, other donors, and host-country institutions can make evidence-based decisions to improve reproductive health programs.

Employing a variety of scientific approaches-population-based surveys, qualitative research, and rapid assessment tools-CDC/DRH offers state-of-the-art adaptable survey instruments, efficient sampling techniques, user-friendly data processing software, and expert analytic support for examining such topics as:

  • Contraceptive use
  • Fertility
  • Maternal and infant health and nutrition
  • HIV/AIDS awareness and prevalence
  • Gender equity and violence against women.

Various instruments and modules allow the study of specified segments of the population, including women, men, children and young adults, those at increased risk of infectious diseases, or those living in conflict-affected areas.

CDC/DRH works closely with host-country institutions and partners to strengthen local capacity-from design and data collection through analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings. To implement this phase of MEASURE, CDC/DRH is placing greater emphasis on facilitating the use of survey data. CDC/DRH is committed to ensuring that the right information is available to the right people at the right time for policy formulation, program evaluation, and planning for the future.


 
 

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Funds for MEASURE are provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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