DETERMINANTS OF DATA USE Session 2

Session Objectives  Explain the data-use conceptual framework  Highlight the determinants of data use  List potential barriers to data use  Introduce the Assessment of Barriers to Data Use tool

Session Overview  Determinants of data use  Barriers to data use  Assessing Barriers to Data Use  Small Group Activity 2: Action Plan to Address Barriers to Data Use

Data Demand & Use

What Determines Data Demand & Use? - ORGANIZATIONAL TECHNICAL BEHAVIORAL * Based on PRISM analytical framework (LaFond, Fields et al. (2005). The PRISM: An analytical framework for understanding performance of health information systems in developing countries. MEASURE Evaluation).

Data often are underutilized because of… Technical constraints  Technical skills  Availability of computers  Data system design  Definition of indicators  Lack of data quality assurance protocols

Data often are underutilized because of… Organizational constraints  Structural – roads, telecommunications  Organizational – clarity of roles, support, flow of information  Political interference

Data are often underutilized because of… Individual constraints  Decision-maker attitudes  Staff motivation  Lack of “data culture”

What Determines Data Demand & Use? ORGANIZATIONAL TECHNICAL BEHAVIORAL POLITICS CULTURE SOCIETY * Based on PRISM analytical framework (LaFond, Fields et al The PRISM: An Analytical Framework for Understanding Performance of Health Information Systems in Developing Countries. MEASURE Evaluation).

What barriers have you faced to using or getting others to use data and information? Group Participation

Assessment of Data Use Constraints Tool  Purpose  To improve understanding of the demand for data and the constraints on data use  Description  Key informant interview guide designed to identify constraints  Identifies effective practices in data use  Two versions - Facility level assessment & national and subnational assessments

Assessment of Data Use Constraints Tool Technical Constraints Technical constraints are related to the ability to generate high-quality data and analyses. RA8Have you ever had an experience while making a policy or program-related decision when you were concerned about the quality of the information being used? RA9Are there multiple sources of information or statistics for issues of importance to you, and have you experienced any problems caused by having different estimates? RA10I am interested in knowing about technical capacity for collecting and using information. Does your agency have the technical capacity to produce reliable information without a lot of external technical assistance? RA11Does your agency have the technical capacity to ensure access to and availability of reliable data? RA12Has there been an occasion when data quality or local technical capacity made it difficult for you to use information in making a decision? RA13How would you have gone about preventing this situation?

Barrier: Steps Involved Person Responsible Other Stake- holders General Timeline Action Plan for Addressing Barriers to Data Use

Key Messages  Determinants of data use are technical, behavioral, and organizational  Decision making occurs within political, cultural, and social contexts  The Assessment of Data Use Constraints tool can help to clarify the barriers in your organization  Plan interventions to overcome barriers to data use

Small Group Activity 2: Instructions Choose a reporter. Discuss barriers to data use experienced in your work. Here are some questions to start your discussion:  Have you ever had an experience while making a policy or program-related decision when you were concerned about the quality of the information being used?  Does your agency have the technical capacity to ensure access to and availability of reliable data?  What specific challenges have you experienced among your staff when it comes to using data?  How does your organization support having the necessary information to make decisions? Time for activity: 1 hour

Barrier: Lack of technical capacity in M&E Steps Involved Person Responsible Other Stake- holders General Timeline Proposed Intervention: Train all program managers in X organization on basic monitoring and evaluation (indicators, developing M&E plan, documenting results, managing toward results, etc.) Identify funding DirectorDeputy, program mgr January 2008 Seek out trainers and curricula M&E Specialist Deputy director, Training coordinator February 2008 Action Plan for Addressing Barriers to Data Use

Small Group Activity: Report Back  Share priority barriers  Discuss solutions crafted  Present action plan for two priority barriers  Time for report back: Each group has 10–15 minutes

THANK YOU! MEASURE Evaluation is a MEASURE project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partnership with Futures Group International, ICF Macro, John Snow, Inc., Management Sciences for Health, and Tulane University. Views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the U.S. Government. MEASURE Evaluation is the USAID Global Health Bureau's primary vehicle for supporting improvements in monitoring and evaluation in population, health, and nutrition worldwide. Visit us online at