Rationale
This non-degree course provides training in the tools and techniques used by healthcare professionals to monitor and evaluate malaria programs in Africa. The program aims to fulfill a need for better SM&E support to generate high-quality data and to analyze and use data to better inform program planning at the country level. The content will also include an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS). GIS provides the ability to capture and analyze spatial and geographic data to create interactive queries (user-created searches), store and edit spatial and non-spatial data, analyze spatial information output, and visually share the results of these operations by presenting them as maps.
Workshop Objectives
• Build skills in fundamental concepts and practical approaches to SM&E of malaria programs
• Discuss programmatic applications of main tools and data systems used to monitor and evaluate malaria programs
• Provide a forum venue for participants to share and learn from other countries’ experiences to strengthen their SM&E systems
• Create a network of SM&E alumni
Course Content
The course will provide participants with SM&E tools, techniques, and resources needed for planning, organizing, and managing malaria programs and projects.
Course Duration: 3 weeks
The first week, August 21 – August 25, 2023, will focus on SM&E fundamentals of malaria programs. Modules include:
Using Data for Decision-Making; Designing and Implementing
SM&E Plans; Frameworks, Indicators; Data Sources; Data Quality; Evaluation Designs; Data Management and Analysis; and Data Presentation, Interpretation, and Use.
The second week, August 28 – September 1, 2023, will offer GIS Modules, including Introduction to GIS; GIS Data – Spatial and Attribute Data; Vector and Raster Data; Introduction to GIS Software (ArcGIS/QGIS); Data Acquisition in GIS: Vector –
GPS and Ghana Post GPS, Google Earth Capture; Data
Collection Using Mobile Application; Digitizing Scanned Map;
Raster – Satellite Imagery; Google Earth; Drone captures;
Data Projection; Geoprocessing and Map Making; and Data
Visualization: Point Data – Point Pattern Analysis, Interpolation, Buffering, Polygon-Choropleth maps.
The third week, September 4 – September 8, 2023, will offer two track options (Malaria Surveillance or Evaluation Methods) held concurrently. Participants may choose one track per year.
OPTION 1 TRACK: Malaria Surveillance
This track contains modules on basic concepts of malaria surveillance, case detection and response, surveillance in moderate/high- and low-transmission settings, surveillance for pre-elimination, and evaluating a surveillance system.
OPTION 2 TRACK: Evaluation Methods for Malaria
This track includes modules on basic concepts of evaluation, statistical concepts, process evaluation, impact evaluation, and practical applications of evaluation in malaria programs.
Teaching Mode
The workshop will include practical exercises, group work, and discussion around common SM&E issues. Resources for further study and research will be provided.
Participants are expected to attend all sessions during the first week and have options during the third week. Participants who have previously completed a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) course can opt for GIS and one of the tracks available during the third week. This workshop will be offered in English.
Eligibility
This workshop targets individuals with 0–5 years of experience working in SM&E who currently works as National Malaria Program staff at either the national or subnational level; NGO and donor personnel responsible for oversight of malaria programs, especially in SM&E; and other individuals with a professional interest in SM&E of malaria programs. Applicants should be proficient in English, have some analytical skills, and have current responsibilities for developing and implementing SM&E plans. Computer literacy and experience with data systems are desired.
Individuals interested in attending GIS and one of the two tracks only must have previously attended a MEASURE Evaluation M&E of Malaria Programs workshop or any M&E course (proof required).
Faculty
The course will be taught by faculty members from the School of Public Health, University of Ghana, with additional support from experts from the Ghana National Malaria Elimination Program, World Health Organization (WHO), and PMI Measure Malaria.
Application Procedures and Deadline
Individuals who want to take part in the workshop should submit their application and reference form through the following link as soon as August 4, 2023.
Fees
SM&E Fundamentals + GIS + 1 track = US$3,850
GIS + 1 track = US$3,100
Track only = US$2,000
GIS only = US$2,000
Fees include tuition, course materials, accommodation, and breakfast and lunch for the duration of the workshop. Travel or other expenses are not included.
Applicants are advised to seek funding from their home organizations or from national or international agencies. Those who request funding should do so well before the deadline, and copies of application materials should be submitted directly to funding agencies. When funding has been confirmed, the applicant should contact the Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (GFELTP) through the email provided below as soon as possible. Due to the great demand for this workshop, there is a limited spot available (maximum of 25 participants).
Teaching Materials
All course materials will be provided as part of tuition. A laptop is required.
OTHER BENEFITS
Post-training mentorship and alumni networking
Mentorship of alumni by seasoned mentors will be encouraged and supported where participants, after completion of the training program, may undertake projects such as reviews of their national malaria SM&E plans or evaluation of malaria surveillance systems, etc., with the experiences from such collaborative works further strengthening the program and skills of the participants. Social media forums and discussion blogs will be developed from the alumni databases of the more than 289 trained health personnel in fundamentals of M&E, surveillance, and advanced evaluation methods.
COLLABORATORS
GFELTP-Ghana
The GFELTP is a two-year postgraduate course of service and on-the-job learning in applied epidemiology and public health laboratory practice for scientists, physicians, veterinarians, and other health professionals. It leads to the award of a Master of Philosophy degree in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control (M. Phil). The vision of the GFELTP is to improve the health of the people in Ghana and Africa’s beyond. Its mission is to contribute to addressing Ghana’s public health needs and priorities through training and service provision. Visit the website at http://www.afenet.net/.
National Malaria Elimination Programme, Ghana
The National Malaria Elimination Programme (Ghana Health Service) is the main institution in Ghana that formulates policies and strategies for eliminating malaria and translating these into interventions. It is also responsible for coordinating, supervising, and monitoring the implementation of these interventions. Its overall goal is to facilitate human development by reducing malaria morbidity by 50 percent and mortality by 100 percent by 2028. This will be achieved through overall health sector development, improved strategic investments in malaria elimination, and increased coverage toward universal access to malaria treatment and prevention interventions, including at the community level.
World Health Organization, Ghana https://www.who.int
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1948 to further international cooperation for improved public health conditions. The WHO Constitution, which establishes the agency's governing structure and principles, states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health period". It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with six semi-autonomous regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. WHO is headed by the Director-General, who is appointed by the World Health Assembly on the nomination of the Executive Board. The Regional Director for Africa represents the Director-General in the region and heads the Regional Office in Ghana.
WHO Ghana office is a technical and funding partner to the SM&E workshop.
PMI Measure Malaria
PMI Measure Malaria is funded by the United States Agency for International Development to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to gather, interpret, and use data to improve health. The project creates tools and approaches for rigorous evaluations, providing evidence to address health challenges. PMI Measure Malaria strengthens health information systems so countries can make better decisions and sustain good health outcomes over time.
This regional SM&E workshop is co-organized by PMI Measure Malaria staff from ICF. Visit PMI Measure Malaria online at https://www.measuremalaria.org/
For more information, please contact: Edith Tetteh (E-mail: m.e.malaria@gmail.com | Phone: +233 (0)24 941 0336)
