africaahead.org

Monitoring and Evaluation of the AHEAD Model

January 17, 2008 – 1:15 pm

By developing a structured programme and introducing the membership card, AfricaAHEAD has enabled detailed monitoring to be done not only by project management staff, but also by the community themselves. As such, CHC members keep accurate records of all aspects of training and ensure the trainer is performing according to their own expectations. The following is a typical list activities that are kept by the community:

* List of members in each health club
* Inventory of member’s facilities (eg. Latrine, hand-washing facility, pot rack etc)
* Attendance per health session
* Topics covered at each health session
* Number of health sessions per trainer
* Average attendance of members per year
* Number of members completing course of sessions.

This information is combined with the following project records:
* Cost per Trainer for transport, mileage, and allowances
* Cost per beneficiary
* Cost per health session.

Effectiveness is measured either:
* Before and after project implementation
* By comparison with a control group in terms of:

Levels of behaviour change as measured by proxy indicators such as:
* Clean, used latrine
* Used hand-washing facility with soap readily available
* Correct food storage and usage
* Correct water storage ad usage

Levels of health related knowledge are also tested by asking each member the causes, transmission, symptoms, prevention and cure of common communicable diseases (e.g. malaria, diarrhoea, bilharzia, skin and eye diseases, parasitic worm infestation, HIV/AIDS).

For examples of the outcomes of CHC Monitoring and Evaluation, please refer to Creating Demand for Sanitation and Hygiene Through Community Health Clubs & Cost Effective Health Promotion Through Community Health Clubs.

Finally, AfricaAHEAD is currently conducting exploratory research to facilitate the development of Social Capital indicators to be incorporated into normal Monitoring and Evaluation activities. Please return for more information regarding CHCs and Social Capital.