factors affecting utilization of monitoring and evaluation findings in implementation of malaria control programmes in mukono district uganda

Description

This study set out to ascertain the factors affecting utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in implementation of Malaria Control Programmes. Its objectives included identifying the implementation factors, decision factors and community factors that affected utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in implementation of Malaria Control Programmes. The study used a survey design in which questionnaires were administered to 120 employees from Monitoring and Evaluation departments of the six organizations that were implementing Malaria Control Programmes, and 6 health facility administrators whose health facilities were benefiting from Malaria Control Programmes in Mukono district. The study found communication of the Monitoring and Evaluation findings (p = 0.008 < 5%) and timeliness (p = 0.000 < 5%) as the implementation factors that significantly affected the utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in implementation of MCP. It also found decision characteristics (p = 0.000 < 5%) as the only decision factor, while beliefs about malaria (p = 0.000 < 5%), alongside decision making (p = 0.030 < 5%) were the community factors that significantly affected the utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in implementation of MCP activities. The study concluded that communication of the Monitoring and Evaluation findings alongside timeliness in undertaking the Monitoring and Evaluation activities were the implementation factors that affected the utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in implementation of MCPs. It also concluded that while the decision characteristics was the only decision factor, community beliefs about malaria and community decision-making with regard to malaria control were the community factors that affected use of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in the implementation of MCP activities. The study therefore recommended, among others, that management of the organizations implementing the malaria control programmes should design and institute mechanisms which ensure timely analysis and reporting of the M&E results, and that the government, through its line ministry of Health should sensitize communities about control of malaria in order to overcome negative beliefs about malaria and support better decision-making in regard to malaria control within households, if utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in implementation of MCPs is to be improve.