Monitor

Monitoring

While monitoring should be built into all SBCC programs, integrated SBCC programs have some unique areas of emphasis. Since the program will be working across health topics, it is important for the monitoring to determine whether program messages are harmonized, community agents and providers are delivering appropriate messages, intended audiences comprehend the integrated messages and the program goals are being met. More specifically, monitoring data should be used to determine how audiences perceive the integration of topics, what content might be missing, whether audiences feel overburdened with information and how well the timing of activities and interventions is working. It is also important to understand how providers are adapting to the changes associated with integrated programming, including challenges, successes and suggestions for changes.

Different integration models will need to monitor different program aspects. For example, a program using a phased model might need to determine whether the timing for the phasing is effective or if it needs to be sped up or slowed down. A program building on an existing platform needs to monitor how the audience is receiving that change and whether the platform should continue to be used.

Routine monitoring of program outputs should be done on a monthly basis. Supportive supervision visits should be conducted with community agents and providers on a quarterly basis, or more frequently, if needed, to evaluate demand generation efforts and counseling skills. See Research, Monitoring and Evaluation for more detailed information on monitoring.