This department worked closely with the districts to monitor and evaluate the impact of project interventions through surveys and service statistics. R&E also designed and conducted special and formative studies to develop and evaluate specific project interventions.

The component was managed by one Ugandan Research and Evaluation Advisor and an Ugandan M&E and Computer Specialist, responsible also for managing the project's computer network including the electronic communication.

What do we do?

The DISH II project monitoring and evaluation pivoted around a plan developed at the beginning of the project. This plan specified a set of indicators for monitoring project activity implementation and another set for tracking expected results from the project interventions. The plan included built-in flexibility to cater for special studies that are done to guide and assess effectiveness of the project interventions. This plan also outlined monitoring and evaluation research dissemination activities.

The project activity implementation (outputs) indicators were measured and reported on quarterly, based on project activity reports. The result (project and population level outcomes) indicators consisted of those that use the HMIS and were reported quarterly as well as annually, and those that use population based survey data that are reported every two years. Population data were collected bi-annually by the DISH Evaluation Surveys that interview individuals and health facilities.

Activity implementation was assessed and reported quarterly; results indicators were tracked and reported on annually to USAID; and special studies such as the Maternal and Child Mortality Audit System, The Private Sector Study, The Truck Drivers Intervention baseline study, etc. were conducted. Findings from evaluation and special studies were used to guide project activities. For instance, as a result of the quarterly report showing declining trends in utilisation of family planning, antenatal and delivery services, the project conducted the Private Sector Study to explain the changing preference in favour of using private facilities over public facilities as a source of family planning service. This finding guided future consideration of support to the private sector. The projects used data from the Maternal Mortality Audit to further guide maternal health and child health interventions.